Estrogen Determines Survival of Men with Heart Failure

Men with chronic heart failure who have either high or low levels of a certain type of estrogen may be at higher risk of death than those with normal levels.

In a recent study conducted in Poland, researchers placed men with chronic heart failure into groups according to the level of estradiol, a form of estrogen, in their blood. During the study’s three year follow up, men in the low-estradiol group had the highest death rate — about four times higher than men with an average level of the hormone. The men in the high-estradiol group suffered two times the risk of death than men with average levels of the hormone.

The correlation between a low estradiol concentration and an increased death risk may in part be due to estrogen’s cardio-protective effects. Researchers say future studies are needed to fully understand the relationship.

SOURCE: JAMA, May 13, 2009