I’ve Had a Heart Attack Before… Is TRT Safe for Me?
Is TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) safe for men who have already experienced cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes?
Here’s what we know:
- Reliable research has shown that untreated low testosterone can cause a number of health issues, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Normalizing testosterone levels through TRT also has been shown to safely reduce the risks of MI (myocardial infarction) and stroke, despite premature conclusions based on flawed research that incorrectly concluded that supplemental testosterone would raise the risk.
At first glance, a history of cardiovascular events would seem to complicate the issue, so let’s examine the medical research and get the facts.
TRT Safety and Heart Attack History: The Research
A recent research project that studied the effects of TRT on a group of 1,470 male veterans with a documented history of hypogonadism (the medical term for low testosterone) and one or more MI events has shown that TRT did not increase the risk for future MI, and TRT decreased the rate of all-cause mortality. In other words, deaths from overall ill health decreased in subjects whose testosterone levels were restored and maintained in a healthy range compared to a control group.
The research pool was divided into three groups:
- 755 men who received TRT and experienced normalized testosterone levels
- 542 men who received TRT but did not experience normalized testosterone levels
- 173 men who received no supplementary testosterone through TRT
The 755 men whose testosterone levels were normalized and maintained showed a lower rate of mortality when compared to the other groups. No improvement in fatalities was found between the group without normalized testosterone levels and those who received no treatment at all.
To summarize, normalized testosterone levels through TRT seemed to be the defining factor in decreased mortality rates.
No significant difference in the rate of recurrent MI was observed amongst the 3 groups, but .
(Learn more about TRT and cardiovascular health here.)
Is TRT Safe for Men With MI History?
This study, one of the first to examine this specific aspect of TRT safety and benefits, indicates that it is.
However, it’s important to understand that you can’t just start taking testosterone haphazardly and expect everything to be fine. Remember, the key was normalizing and maintaining levels, which requires expert medical supervision.
Rajat S. Barua had the following to say about the findings:
“To achieve mortality benefit and CV benefits, the prescribing physician needs to ensure that patients’ testosterone levels achieve a normal therapeutic range. I also propose that the risks and benefits depend on the risk profile of the patient rather than on the therapy itself. To maximize the benefit of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, physicians need to appropriately screen, select, dose and follow up with individual patients.”
It’s also important to mention that research trends indicate increased risk for CV events in patients with either extremely low or extremely high levels of testosterone.
Learn More About TRT
While further research is needed, this study continues to reinforce the overall research-backed conclusion that healthy testosterone levels—normalized and maintained in a safe, ethical, and carefully monitored medical regimen—counter the sinister ways that chronic Low T has worn away at your quality of life and general health.
Patients are often surprised by the potential health benefits in addition to improved cardiovascular health that come with a healthy hormone balance achieved through TRT:
- Increased lean muscle production and strength
- Reduced fat tissue production
- Improved mood and stress response
- Improved bone density and strength
Over time, as your body stops working against you, it’s entirely possible that you’ll discover your overall health on an definite and observable upward trajectory.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is the most effective way to restore and then maintain healthy testosterone levels for men who are chronically deficient.
