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Article
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"Low Hormones and Heart Attacks"
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| The best-known consequences of hypogonadism
in men are impotence and dwindling libido. However, both melancholia and
psychiatric disturbances , from depression to psychosis, can also occur
in association with testosterone deficiency. Perhaps the most dangerous
consequence of hypogonadism in men is myocardial infarction (MI). Serum
testosterone levels were about 90 ng/dl lower in patients who had suffered
MI's than in those who had not. Results also suggested that low testosterone
levels predispose to MI and are lower in men with severe coronary artery
atherosclerotic disease than in controls. Very high blood levels of testosterone
might protect against arteriosclerosis especially in men over age 60. |
| Testosterone is not the only androgen that appears to protect again Ml. Estrogen exerts a profound effect by both lowering the "bad" cholesterols, raising the good cholesterols and decreasing clotting of blood and blood pressure in women. DHEA-Dehydro epiandrosterone, a precursor of both testosterone and estrogen, has digitalis-like
effects and strengthens the heart muscle. Together, testosterone and DHEA prevent the death of CNS nerve cells. This information suggests that there are beneficial systemic effects in maintaining blood levels of androgens similarly to the benefits of maintaining normal thyroid hormone levels. |
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