Abstract:
The importance of estrogens for cardiovascular physiology in women isaccepted, even if the clinical place for hormonal supplementation aftermenopause remains uncertain. However, although men produce significantquantities of estrogen, relatively little is known about the role of estrogensin the male cardiovascular system. Recent evidence about the epidemiology ofcardiovascular disease, the mechanisms of action of estrogens, the biologicalactions of endogenously produced estrogens in men, and the acute and chroniceffects of estrogens on the vasculature in both men and women, suggests thatthese hormones may well play an important role in normal male cardiovascularphysiology. In addition, they may provide useful adjuncts to therapy inselected groups of men.