heart attacks 330 articles

Aggressive marketing campaigns waged by makers of testosterone replacement therapies promising men stronger libidos, increased muscle mass, and weight loss resulted in dramatic increases in the number of men taking the hormonal supplements, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study, conducted by researchers with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, analyzed data on the initiation of testosterone treatment and use based on commercial insurance claims with ratings in 75 television markets from 2009 to 2013. The study area included more than 17 million commercially insured men. Researchers found that more ... Read More

A group of older men treated with AbbVie’s AndroGel testosterone replacement therapy for a year had a 20 percent greater buildup of non-calcified plaque in their arteries than men who received a placebo gel, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The men – 138 in total – had a mean age of 71 as well as having cardiovascular risk factors. Half had severe atherosclerosis, a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, which can cause blockages that can lead to conditions such as coronary artery disease, chronic ... Read More

A doctor considered a “key opinion leader” in the promotion of testosterone replacement therapy to doctors and medical schools must turn over records of payment he received from some 18 pharmaceutical companies involved in multidistrict litigation (MDL) accusing the drug companies of withholding testosterone risks, an Illinois federal judge ruled. Dr. Abraham Morgantaler was ordered by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly to turn over tax forms and other documents showing payments he received from the companies. Morgantaler has been fighting the subpoena served to him by the plaintiffs steering committee, arguing that his disorganization made it difficult for him to ... Read More

Adolescent and adult athletes and bodybuilders are more likely to abuse testosterone treatments and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) than non-athletes, often combining the two drugs or taking higher doses of testosterone than generally prescribed. This may put them at risk for heart, brain, liver, mental health and endocrine system problems, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned in a Safety Alert. “Reported serious adverse health outcomes include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, depression, hostility, aggression, liver toxicity, and male infertility. Those who abuse high doses of testosterone have also reported withdrawal symptoms including depression, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, decreased libido ... Read More

Older men who have sex at least once a week are up to two times as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular event than men who engage in sexual intercourse less frequently, according to a new study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Even more worrisome is that the men who found sex with their partners satisfying or even mind-blowing had the greatest risk of heart problems than those less satisfied with their sexual experiences. The study involved an analysis of 2,204 people enrolled in the U.S. National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Men ... Read More

Medical experts representing the Endocrine Society of Australia are urging doctors to exercise caution when prescribing testosterone replacement therapy to older men with a history of cardiovascular disease due to an increased risk of heart problems. The statement was authored by Professor Bu Yeap, head of the University of Western Australia’s School of Medicine and Pharmacology Fiona Stanley Hospital Unit and published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Yeap and colleagues from research and endocrinology units across the country made their recommendation after a review of key treatment options during which concerns about cardiovascular-related effects with testosterone treatments was addressed. Researchers ... Read More

Heartburn treatments known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, have been linked to chronic kidney disease, raising more concerns over the safety of the widely used meds. PPIs are available by prescription, but they are also sold over-the-counter under the brand names Prilosec, Prevacid and Zegerid. They are considered generally safe to use, but they do carry side effects that consumers should be aware of. Even more worrisome, PPI side effects could cause serious health consequences. PPIs work by stopping cells in the stomach lining from producing too much acid. This helps prevent ulcers and reduce acid reflux symptoms such as ... Read More

Research has shown that men who use testosterone replacement treatments are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including death. But a new study shows they may be putting their relationships at risk as well. Testosterone treatments are designed for men who do not produce enough of the hormone naturally due to injury or disease, a condition known as hypogonadism. However, aggressive marketing campaigns from manufacturers of testosterone products to treat what they dubbed “Low T” have resulted in millions of testosterone prescriptions each year. Research has shown that many men are prescribed the hormone without ever being tested to determine ... Read More

AbbVie Inc., maker of the blockbuster testosterone treatment AndroGel, offered free education courses to doctors for continuing medical education credits (CME), which are required for doctors to keep their medical licenses, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today investigation has found. The classes promoted unapproved uses for the hormone treatment. Testosterone treatments are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone due to disease or injury. The condition can cause fertility issues, low libido and muscle loss. In recent years, manufacturers of testosterone treatments have launched aggressive advertising ... Read More

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, used to treat heartburn and acid reflux are the third most prescribed drugs in the United States, with about 21 million prescriptions written annually. Even more people use the drug when you consider sales of over-the-counter varieties of PPIs, such as Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium. But a new study published in the journal PLoS One has found that people taking PPIs are 16 to 21 percent more likely to have a heart attack compared to people who did not take the medication. The study involved about 2.9 million patients from two sources – the Stanford ... Read More