# Preventing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Young Male Androgen Abusers

## TL;DR

Young men who abuse androgens face increased risk of heart disease due to effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood vessels.

## Contribution

Highlights androgen abuse as an underrecognized risk enhancer for heart disease in young men and suggests tailored risk assessment methods.

## Key findings

- Androgen abuse negatively impacts lipid profiles, blood pressure, and vascular function.
- Conventional risk models may underestimate cardiovascular risk in androgen abusers.
- Subclinical atherosclerosis is associated with androgen abuse despite otherwise healthy profiles.

## Abstract

Androgen abuse among young men is a prevalent yet under recognized risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Supraphysiological androgen exposure adversely affects lipoprotein profiles, blood pressure, and vascular function, potentially accelerating atherosclerosis even in otherwise healthy individuals. Conventional cardiovascular risk prediction models may underestimate risk in this population due to fluctuating biomarker profiles and other unaccounted risk‐increasing factors that are not captured in these models.

To review the mechanisms by which androgen abuse contributes to ASCVD, to highlight limitations of traditional risk stratification tools in this population, and to propose tailored approaches to risk assessment and prevention.

Narrative review of epidemiological, imaging, and mechanistic studies examining cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in androgen abusers.

Available evidence indicates that androgen abuse adversely affects lipid profiles, blood pressure, and vascular endothelial function, and is associated with increased subclinical atherosclerosis. Conventional risk prediction models may underestimate risk in this population due to young age, fluctuating biomarker profiles, and cumulative exposure effects not captured by standard algorithms.

Androgen abuse should be recognized as a cardiovascular risk‐enhancing factor in young men. Individualized risk assessment beyond traditional calculators may be warranted to guide preventive strategies in selected patients.

Androgen abuse is an underrecognized ASCVD risk enhancer in young men. Improved risk assessment—integrating androgen exposure, imaging, and individualized prevention—may help in the management of long‐term cardiovascular risk in this population.