HRT for men ‘cuts risk of a heart attack’
GIVING the hormone testosterone to older men can radically reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, research has shown.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was found to benefit men aged between 58 and 78 with heart conditions.
US scientists studied 755 heart patients, and those who were given supplements of the male hormone were 80 per cent less likely to suffer a cardiovascular problem, such as a heart attack or stroke, than those who were not.
HRT is already a common treatment for women during the menopause to restore falling levels of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone that trigger hot flushes and bone thinning that can lead to osteoporosis.
The latest findings provide evidence that a ‘male menopause’ may strike with age, with dropping levels of testosterone affecting men’s mood and sexual drive.
And the findings appear to disprove previous claims that boosting testosterone as its level falls in older men may worsen heart problems.
Lead researcher Dr Brent Muhlestein, from the Intermountain Medical Centre Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, said: ‘The study shows that using testosterone replacement therapy to increase testosterone to normal levels doesn’t increase their risk of a serious heart attack or stroke. That was the case even in the highest-risk men – those with heart disease.’
The new study found that treating over-65s with testosterone for a year increased their levels to that expected in a man of 30. The treatment did not boost energy but did improve mood and depressive symptoms, while sexual drive, sexual frequency and the distance they could walk in six minutes also increased.
Some experts believe that, as with women, a drop in male hormones may explain many of the problems men experience in later life. However, last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required manufacturers of testosterone products to add labels outlining the danger revealed by previous research suggesting supplements of male hormones can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Dr Muhlestein added: ‘The FDA’s warning was based on the best clinical information available at the time. As further information, like our research, becomes available – and especially after a large randomised clinical outcomes trial can be accomplished – hopefully the FDA will be able to change its warning.’
The findings were presented during the American College of Cardiology’s 65th Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.
The study found that after one year, 64 patients who were not taking testosterone supplements suffered a major cardiovascular event. This compared with only 12 who were taking medium doses of testosterone, and nine who were receiving high doses.
The same trend was seen two years later, by which time 125 patients not treated with testosterone, 38 medium-dose patients and 22 high-dose patients had experienced a major event.
Previous research has found that testosterone replacement treatments may also help the over- 65s walk quicker and reduce depression.
Some experts insist there is no need for men to suffer as they get older, and should have access to hormone replacement therapy in the same way that women are able to take tablets as they pass the menopause.
But the theory is controversial, with many scientists arguing that a gradual decline in testosterone levels is a natural and healthy part of ageing, and does not require artificial treatments.
‘Boosting testosterone’