Researchers at Johns Hopkins University report that the naturally occurring sex hormones testosterone and estrogen may influence the risk and progression of artery hardening, which may explain why men are at increased risk in developing heart disease.
The findings, presented at the American Heart Associations annual Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, found that older women, who typically have estrogen dominance, are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium.
Older men with high amounts of testosterone are also more likely to develop CAC, but testosterone seems to help slow down the progression of CAC once it exists.
The study found that in people with no baseline CAC, women with higher amounts of estrogen were 30 percent more likely to develop CAC and men with more testosterone were 48 percent more likely.
Researchers say their findings suggest that doctors might one day test sex hormone levels in addition to blood sugar and cholesterol levels when evaluating a patients risk of heart disease.
The American Heart Association says atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, contributes to coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 1.2 million people will have a new or recurrent coronary attack this year.