Restoring testosterone can cut heart attack risk

Washington D.C.: It is natural for testosterone levels to decline as men age. Now, a recent study has suggested that its supplementation can help you keep your heart safe.

The multi-year study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City shows that testosterone therapy helped elderly men with low testosterone levels and pre-existing coronary artery disease reduce their risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, including strokes, heart attacks and death.

The study showed that patients who received testosterone as part of their follow-up treatment fared much better than patients who didn't. Non-testosterone-therapy patients were 80 percent more likely to suffer an adverse event.

Co-director Brent Muhlestein said that the study shows that using testosterone replacement therapy to increase testosterone to normal levels in androgen-deficient men doesn't increase their risk of a serious heart attack or stroke. That was the case even in the highest-risk men, those with known pre-existing heart disease."

The results were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.