Estradiol and Mortality in Men with Heart Failure

We usually consider estrogens in connection with women’s health, but they also have important biological effects in men. Low estradiol levels are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events in male populations, suggesting a beneficial effect of estrogens on the cardiovascular system. To explore the association between estrogen levels and mortality in men with heart failure, investigators studied 501 men in Poland (mean age, 58) with chronic systolic heart failure (mean LV ejection fraction, 28%). At baseline, >90% of patients were taking ACE inhibitors, and >90% were taking beta-blockers.

When stratified into quintiles by baseline serum estradiol level, participants with the lowest levels were more likely to be anemic and had…