Elevated Testosterone Linked to Higher Atrial Fibrillation Risk in Older Men, Study Finds

A new study delving into the relationship between testosterone levels and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in older men has yielded important insights. The research expands upon previous findings from the Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Assessment of Long-term Vascular Events and Efficacy Response in Hypogonadal Men (TRAVERSE) study, which hinted at a potential increase in AF events among men treated with testosterone. The current investigation aimed to understand how endogenous testosterone - testosterone naturally present in the body – is associated with AF risk.

The post-hoc analysis utilized data from 4,570 participants in the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study. These men, aged 70 years or older, were free of cardiovascular disease and other serious illnesses at the outset. Over a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 286 men developed AF. Findings showed that men with higher baseline testosterone levels were more likely to develop AF than men with lower levels. Importally, this relationship appeared to be non-linear, with heightened risk observed in the upper quintiles of testosterone levels.

This comprehensive study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, suggests that high-normal testosterone concentrations may independently contribute to an increased incidence of AF among healthy older men. Consequently, high-normal circulating testosterone levels should be recognized as a potential risk factor when evaluating older men for AF. Moreover, these findings could influence decisions regarding the use of testosterone therapy, potentially affecting a candidate's risk-benefit assessment.

The study was funded by various respected institutions, including the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health; Australian Government (NHMRC, CSIRO); Monash University; and AlfredHealth. The complete article can be accessed online via its DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102611.

To learn more, you can reach out to the corresponding author, Cammie Tran, at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (email: Cammie.tran@monash.edu).

For more detailed information, a link to the study is provided: [Link to study]

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