A naturally high level of testosterone is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in men.
Having a genetic predisposition to high levels of testosterone (“endogenous testosterone”, Editor’s note) could play a role in the development of major heart problems in men, according to a study published by the BMJ. We are talking here about blood clots, heart failure and heart attack.
Associations were less evident in women
Using a technique called “Mendelian randomization”, researchers analyzed genetic variants that predict testosterone levels and their associations with blood clots (thromboembolism), heart failure and heart attack (myocardial infarction ) in nearly 400,000 British men and women. An association observed by Mendelian randomization reinforces the hypothesis of a causal relationship.
Among the participants, 13,691 suffered from thromboembolism (6208 men, 7483 women), 1688 from heart failure (1186, 502), and 12,882 from myocardial infarction (10,136, 2746). Researchers found that in men, endogenous testosterone was associated with a higher risk of blood clots, heart failure, and heart attack. Associations were less evident in women.
“A modifiable risk factor”
“In men, endogenous testosterone predicted by variants in the JMJD1C gene region was positively associated with thromboembolism and heart failure, but not myocardial infarction.” On the other hand “in the validation study, the testosterone genetically predicted according to the variants of the JMJD1C gene region was positively associated with myocardial infarction”, can we read.
Endogenous testosterone “is harmful for thromboembolism, heart failure and myocardial infarction, especially in men”, summarize the scientists. “Endogenous testosterone can be controlled by existing treatments and could be a modifiable risk factor” for these heart problems, they conclude. These findings may also have implications for men who take testosterone supplements to increase their energy and libido.
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