Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death among men worldwide. The reasons behind this are multifaceted but include lifestyle choices, genetics, and hormonal imbalances. In addition, the medical fraternity is starting to recognise other risk factors including air pollution, climate change, socioeconomic conditions, and their impact on CVD.
According to a 2023 report from the World Heart Federation, deaths from CVD jumped globally from 12.2mn in 1990 to 20.5mn in 2021.1 The report noted that CVD was a leading cause of death worldwide in 2021, with four in five CVD deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries,2 in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Although the overall number of CVD deaths increased in the last three decades, this is largely due to an ageing and growing population.3 CVD is strongly age-dependent, primarily affecting people aged over 50 years, and it is believed that men have a higher risk of CVD than women, on average, developing CVD about 10 years earlier.4
CVD is a major concern for health organisations and is now a top priority for most governments, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) noting that the fastest decline in death was seen in high-income countries. This indicates to some degree that premature heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by early interventions, particularly through lifestyle changes and the adoption of routines that include dietary supplements that can target cardiovascular health. The good news is that there has also been a notable increase in health awareness among male consumers, especially those aged 40 and above, and these individuals are now more proactive in addressing cardiovascular health risks.
As our knowledge about CVD grows, brands and manufacturers are investing in breakthrough research and novel ingredients to develop innovative products and dietary supplements that target key mechanisms of cardiovascular health.
Here, research points to probiotics as a surprising but strong ally in the fight against heart disease.
What Makes Men More Vulnerable to CVD?
Cardiovascular disease is a blanket term that covers a wide range of conditions, ranging from coronary artery disease (CAD), to stroke, heart failure, and hypertension. For men, its prevalence is alarming.
According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 3 men has some form of CVD. In general, men will develop heart disease 10 years earlier than women and are also more likely to suffer sudden heart attacks.5
While risk factors such as lifestyle choices, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets play a part, men historically also internalise stress, which could raise cortisol levels. Studies now show that increases in cortisol could directly impact the heart, blood vessels, and cardiometabolic markers. It is also cited for increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels.6
Men are 2x more likely than women to report physical symptoms of stress (e.g. fatigue,chest tightness) but less likely to talk about it or seek help.
– American Psychological Association
Genetic Predisposition: When High Cholesterol Runs in the Family
Hypercholesterolemia, also known as high cholesterol, is a condition where there are high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It’s a type of lipid disorder, which means it’s characterised by an imbalance of lipids in the blood.
Hypercholesterolemia can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. This is because high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, can cause fat to build up in the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. 7
There’s also a genetic form of hypercholesterolemia called Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which is characterized by high LDL cholesterol levels from birth. People with FH have an increased risk of developing heart disease early in life. 8
While lifestyle choices play a major role in cardiovascular risk, genetic factors like Hypercholesterolemia and especially Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) can make cholesterol management even more challenging for many men. This means that for those with a genetic predisposition, proactive and ongoing cholesterol management becomes even more critical. In this context, science-backed dietary supplements could offer a promising additional tool to help manage cholesterol levels alongside other interventions.
Testosterone & CVD: How Hormones Affect Heart Health
When it comes to male hormones and CVD, studies indicate that testosterone could influence lipid profiles and arterial health. In men, testosterone levels begin to decrease after age 40, and this age-related decline is referred to as andropause or male menopause.
In epidemiologic studies, a low concentration of endogenous testosterone is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in men and an increase in all-cause mortality.9
In addition, low testosterone levels in men may increase their risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes,10 dyslipidaemia, and atherosclerosis. 11
While the role of testosterone in heart disease risk is complex,12 it is believed that it does have several important effects on the cardiovascular system.
The Silent Threats Driving Men’s Heart Risk
Two of the most common and well-known symptoms of heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Also known as the ‘silent killer’ for a reason, , hypertension or high blood pressure frequently goes unnoticed. Men over 45 are particularly vulnerable to developing high blood pressure, which significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Furthermore, elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol are major contributors to the buildup of arterial plaque. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and increases the risk of heart attack.13
What many men don’t realise is that the process starts earlier than expected:
- By age 40,nearly 50% of people already have cholesterol deposits in their arteries.14
- Men tend to develop significant plaque build up about a decade earlier than women, with measurable narrowing often seen from age 45 onwards.14
Why this matters:
Even a 10 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure can raise the risk of heart disease by 25–30%. And for every 1 mmol/L increase in LDL cholesterol, coronary heart disease risk rises by 20–25%.
The Gut-Heart Axis: How Probiotics Are Changing CVD Prevention
Studies now show that certain strains of probiotics can lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, improving the overall cholesterol profile. A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that probiotic supplementation could lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 9% in individuals with high cholesterol levels. This suggests that probiotics may act as a natural, non-pharmacological way to manage cholesterol levels.15
While high blood pressure remains a key risk factor for CVD, a meta-analysis of clinical trials in Hypertension showed that regular consumption of probiotics led to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The beneficial effects were more pronounced in individuals with elevated blood pressure at the start of the trial.16
LPLDL® represents a breakthrough in managing cholesterol levels and CVD offering compelling evidence for its positive effect on internal cholesterol-producing enzymes that break down bile salts. This forces the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood to replenish the body’s bile salt levels and is a game changer in managing cholesterol levels and CVD.
What the science tells us
LPLDL® is backed by multiple independent human intervention studies, conducted at leading Universities in the UK.
A double-blind, randomised, and placebo-controlled study at the University of Reading,17 participants taking LPLDL® daily found that multiple cardiometabolic biomarkers were improved, including a reduction in total cholesterol of up to 36%, a lowering of LDL cholesterol by almost 14%, and an increase in HDL cholesterol by up to 4,5%.18
Additionally, a 9-week study by the University of Roehampton in hypercholesterolaemic adults noted a significant reduction in multiple cardiometabolic biomarkers when taking LPLDL®.
Findings include a lowering of total cholesterol by 34%, LDL cholesterol by 28% non-HDL cholesterol by 17%, and ApoB by 28%.
Men’s health will continue to face new challenges, with cardiovascular care at the forefront of innovation in supplements and nutrition. LPLDL® stands out as a science-backed, clinically validated solution that opens new doors for targeted, preventive heart health.
At ProBiotix, it’s not just about adding years to life, it’s about adding life to years, through smarter, safer, and more effective solutions for everyday health.
For more information on LPLDL® you can reach out to the ProBiotix team.
References:
4, Risk factors for CVD | Background information | CVD risk assessment and management | CKS | NICE
5, American Heart Association. (2023). Cardiovascular disease: Men vs. women. https://www.heart.org
6, Cardiovascular Disease and Hair Cortisol: a Novel Biomarker of Chronic Stress – PMC (nih.gov)
7,8 Hypercholesterolemia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
10, Mozaffarian, D., Benjamin, E. J., Go, A. S., et al. (2016). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2016 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 133(4), e38–e360. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000350
12Testosterone and the Heart – PMC (nih.gov)
13Mozaffarian, D., Benjamin, E. J., Go, A. S., et al. (2016). Heart disease and stroke statistics—2016 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 133(4), e38–e360. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000350
- Khalesi, S., Sun, J., Buys, N., & Jayasinghe, R. (2014). Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Hypertension, 64(4), 897–903.
17,18 https://lpldl.com/scientific-studies/
