While many people legitimately need medical intervention to deal with testosterone deficiency syndrome, there are probably even more athletes who abuse testosterone injections.
There are several health risks with excessively high free testosterone, and I spent a few hours with a doctor friend to look at the scientific evidence for heart problems such as chronically increased heart rate.
We reviewed clinical trial evidence as well as medical textbooks to see exactly how androgenic steroids affect the body.
Let’s see if there’s an increased risk of heart issues.
Quick Summary
- Testosterone is the major male hormone, but it also plays a key role for women.
- The hormone affects many different processes in the body, and there is a link to cardiovascular risk factors and prostate cancer.
- What scientists now believe is that ideal levels of testosterone have a positive effect on cardiovascular functions and may even prevent heart attacks.
Does Testosterone Increase Heart Rate?
No, testosterone doesn’t increase heart rate in men or women.
Part of the confusion around this topic comes down to the fact that testosterone has been linked to improvements in heart rate variability (HRV) [1].
And scientists have shown that lower HRV can result in an increased risk of heart attack [2].
They have even speculated that HRV might predict serious cardiac events and heart disease.
One other reason why there’s confusion around this topic is that scientists came up with an unproven theory.
It stipulated that men suffer heart attacks on average ten years earlier than women. And one of the main factors is the difference in the male hormone testosterone.
However, there is no reliable evidence to suggest this is the case [3].
What this means is that a male taking testosterone medication in a controlled and monitored way should see improvements in their heart health.
And it all comes down to only taking testosterone medication under the advice and monitoring of a doctor.
Let me explain.
Related: What Does Testosterone Do to Your Body?
Monitoring the Impact on Your Cardiovascular Health
One thing that testosterone therapy can cause is high blood pressure (BP), and that can result in an increased risk of cardiovascular events [4].
But there are significant differences between naturally increasing T-count to a safe and healthy level and taking oral or injectable testosterone that causes large spikes very quickly.
That’s why doctors carefully look at your BP, HRV, and even changes in skin and hair growth when treating low testosterone levels.
It’s also important to note that this kind of medical intervention can cause the body to form blood clots, but this is more common with long-term testosterone abuse [5].
No matter what your situation is, if you find your BP or heart rate is increasing, then seek medical attention immediately. It could mean the difference between experiencing a serious health issue and boosting your overall health.
Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy Bad for The Heart?
No, testosterone replacement therapy isn’t bad for the heart.
In fact, several studies have shown that having healthy levels of testosterone helps prevent coronary artery disease and reduces risk factors associated with heart attack and stroke [6].
However, there are multiple risks of taking steroid hormones without medical supervision.
In many cases, severe organ issues are linked to years of unmonitored testosterone intake.
And that is something we would never advise anyone to do. There are much better options for effectively dealing with T-levels.
“Increasingly, testosterone replacement therapy is prescribed to treat general symptoms of aging, including fatigue and slight declines in sexual functioning.”
- Robert Preidt at WebMD.com
Safe Ways to Boost T-Count
If you have confirmed that you are dealing with testosterone deficiency through a blood or saliva test, then there are two things you need to do immediately.
Diet
There’s no point in going through hormone treatment or other ways to boost testosterone levels if you’re going to continue with an unhealthy diet.
Get rid of all the sugar and junk food, and make sure you balance your calorie intake through careful diet journaling. See, there’s a vicious cycle between low T-levels and weight gain, and the best way to disrupt that issue is by fixing your diet [7].
If you combine a testosterone-boosting diet and exercise, you are on an even better track to restoring your optimal levels.
Supplements
My top recommendation for men and women is to try natural testosterone boosters. This involves dietary supplements that use natural ingredients like minerals, vitamins, and herbs to deal with low testosterone levels.
These are generally completely safe products and don’t come with all the risks associated with long-term testosterone injections.
Related Articles:
FAQs
Will Testosterone Raise Blood Pressure?
Yes, high levels of testosterone may raise blood pressure. This is something that doctors carefully monitor during hormone therapy. And it’s a major risk factor for people who self-prescribe.
Can Testosterone Therapy Cause Heart Failure?
No, testosterone therapy hasn’t been associated with heart failure. If anything, maintaining healthy T-levels could reduce the risk of a heart attack. It’s one of the key reasons to regularly check your T-count.
Control Your Testosterone Levels
Neither men nor women have to resort to testosterone therapy to control sex hormone levels unless they have underlying medical conditions.
There are many natural supplements that use vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids to kickstart your body’s natural testosterone production.
Check out our guides on T-boosters:
We’ve extensively tested these products, and all of our data shows they can make a huge difference in just a few months.
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23974276/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.119.014540
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/testosterone-and-the-heart
- https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/d00558g1
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2754091
- https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/study-testosterone-supplementation-reduces-heart-attack-stroke-risk
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31035310/
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