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Posted on Nov 14, 2008, 7 a.m.
By Rich Hurd
New research into the effect of sex hormones on the risk and progression of atherosclerosis, may help to explain why men are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than women.
New research into the effect of sex hormones on the risk and progression of atherosclerosis, may help to explain why men are significantly more likely to develop heart disease than women.
Erin Michos, assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues examined data from people taking part in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), in order to determine whether sex hormones affect the risk of atherosclerosis.
After accounting for factors known to affect atherosclerosis risk, such as age, body mass index, blood pressure, and exercise and smoking habits, the results showed that women with high levels of estrogen were 30% more likely to develop coronary artery calcium (CAC), a component of atherosclerotic plaques, than women with the lowest levels of estrogen, furthermore, the risk of CAC was greater in women aged 65 and over who had high estrogen levels. Men with high testosterone levels were 48% more likely to develop CAC than men with the lowest testosterone levels. Like with women, the risk of CAC in men was greater in older men (aged 55 and over) with high testosterone levels. However, men who already had CAC at the start of the study were less likely to have increased CAC levels at follow-up, thus suggesting that testosterone had a protective effect upon the arteries. No similar effect was observed in women.
These results suggest that estrogen and testosterone play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, however they also suggest that testosterone may prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. Michos says that the role that sex hormones play in cardiovascular disease is complex. She concludes: “Our results suggest that someday, in addition to testing your cholesterol and blood sugar levels to assess your heart disease risk, your doctor may want to measure your sex hormone levels as well.”
Sex Hormones and the Risk of Coronary Artery Calcium Progression in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Presented at: American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions 2008. November 11th 2008.
News release: Estrogen, testosterone may affect atherosclerosis. Johns Hopkins Medicine. November 10th 2008.
