A recent study has shown that men with higher testosterone levels, a male hormone, are at greater risk of atrial fibrillation.
The research investigating the correlation between testosterone levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation was published in eClinicalMedicine.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition defined by irregular contractions and abnormal fluttering of the atria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the most common form of arrhythmia. It is projected that by 2030, the number of atrial fibrillation patients in the U.S. will reach 12.1 million.
Active intervention is crucial for high-risk patients as the presence of atrial fibrillation leads to the formation of blood clots, which can block cerebral vessels. This significantly increases the risk of strokes. Factors known to contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation include age, family history, panic disorder, alcohol consumption, smoking, etc.
In the ASPREE (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study, the research team analyzed the medical data of 4,570 men over 70 to investigate the impact of testosterone levels on the risk of atrial fibrillation.
The average follow-up observation period was 4.4 years, and the participants were divided into five groups based on their testosterone levels, from the highest to the lowest.
The study confirmed a nonlinear relationship between testosterone levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation. Men in the group with the highest testosterone levels had a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared to men with average testosterone levels.
Although these results varied depending on the history of cardiovascular diseases other than atrial fibrillation, they remained consistent regardless of factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), alcohol consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that men with higher testosterone levels are at a greater risk of atrial fibrillation.
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