Heart Attack Following Testosterone Replacement Therapy
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By
Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC
We received a call from a 58 year old gentleman that had been using testosterone
replacement therapy (“Low-T” gel) for approximately 60 days
when he suffered a heart attack. He had seen something online about dangers
associated testosterone replacement therapy and increased incidences of
heart attack and stroke, and, therefore, called. I explained to this caller
that the science is emerging. Several studies have not indicated increases
in complications, however, other recent studies have indicated increased
incidences in heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thromboses (DVT) and pulmonary
embolism (PE), associated with using testosterone replacement therapy.
The studies seem to show that in men over the age of 65 there is approximately
two times the likelihood of a heart attack. In men under 65 there appears
to be approximately three times the incidence of heart attack for men
who had suffered previous heart attacks before starting testosterone replacement
therapy. This caller had not had a prior heart attack and, for that reason,
we explained that the science currently might not support his claim. But,
as new information (including the results of a study soon-to-be released
by a major university) and investigative results from the FDA’s
current inquiry become available, data may support claims like his.
