title: Testosterone and Cardiovascular Disease.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease [CVD] is a leading cause of mortality accounting for a global incidence of over 31%. Atherosclerosis is the primary pathophysiology underpinning most types of CVD. Historically, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors were suggested to precipitate CVD. Recently, epidemiological studies have identified emerging risk factors including hypotestosteronaemia, which have been associated with CVD. Previously considered in the realms of reproductive biology, testosterone is now believed to play a critical role in the cardiovascular system in health and disease. The actions of testosterone as they relate to the cardiac vasculature and its implication in cardiovascular pathology is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta- Msida, Malta.
authors.forename: Amos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tambo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta- Msida, Malta.
authors.forename: Mohsin H K
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Roshan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Biomedical Sciences Building, Msida, Malta.
authors.forename: Nikolai P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Pace
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Hypogonadism; Testosterone; Vascular biology