TRAVERSE Trial & FDA's Label Change on Testosterone Therapy Risks

Taking control of your health is a process of discovery. It often starts with comprehensive testing that gives you a clear picture of your internal wellness, from hormones to metabolic function. Sometimes, that data reveals the need for specialized care. While our team at 1st Optimal provides expert guidance through telehealth, we believe in empowering you with resources for every step of your journey, including finding trusted local physicians. If a cardiologist is the next step for you, this article breaks down what you need to know about Traverse Heart & Vascular. We’ve gathered the details, so you can feel prepared before you even look up ‘traverse heart and vascular photos’ or book a consultation.

Introduction

For years, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) carried an FDA boxed warning for potential cardiovascular risks like heart attacks and strokes. However, in 2024, the FDA revised its stance, removing the warning after reviewing groundbreaking data from the TRAVERSE Trial—the most extensive randomized controlled trial (RCT) on testosterone therapy and heart health to date.

This article breaks down:
✅ What the TRAVERSE Trial studied
✅ Why the FDA changed its label warning
✅ Key research findings on TRT and cardiovascular health
✅ What this means for men considering testosterone therapy

What Was the TRAVERSE Trial?

Study Overview

The TRAVERSE Trial (Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Assessment of Long-term Vascular Events and Efficacy Response) was a multi-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT designed to assess whether TRT increases the risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in middle-aged and older men.

🔬 Key Details:

Population: 5,246 men aged 45-80 with clinically low testosterone and cardiovascular risk factors
Method: Testosterone gel vs. Placebo
Primary Focus: Risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death
Duration: 33 months median follow-up

TRAVERSE Trial Results: Does TRT Increase Cardiovascular Risk?

The TRAVERSE Trial provided clear evidence that testosterone therapy does NOT increase cardiovascular risk when used appropriately under medical supervision.

Key Findings:

✅ No increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular deaths compared to placebo
✅ No significant difference in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or prostate cancer incidence
✅ Modest improvements in sexual function, mood, and energy levels

💡 Why This Matters: Prior concerns about TRT and heart risks were based on small, observational studies rather than rigorous, large-scale trials. The TRAVERSE Trial confirmed TRT’s safety profile in men with preexisting heart risk factors.

FDA Label Change: Why Was the Testosterone Warning Removed?

Previous Warning (Pre-2024):

⚠ Boxed warning on TRT labels stated that testosterone therapy may increase cardiovascular risks.

Updated FDA Label (2024):

✔ The warning was removed after the TRAVERSE Trial proved TRT does NOT increase heart attack or stroke risk.

💡 What This Means for Patients: Doctors and patients can now be more confident in TRT’s safety when prescribed based on medical guidelines.

What This Means for Men Considering TRT

🔹 TRT is safe when properly monitored
🔹 Increased access to treatment as doctors become more comfortable prescribing TRT
🔹 More research continues on TRT’s impact on cognition, bone density, and metabolic health

About Traverse Heart & Vascular Clinic

Making informed decisions about your health means having all the right information. While the TRAVERSE trial confirms the cardiovascular safety of medically supervised TRT, a comprehensive health strategy always involves a team. At 1st Optimal, our approach is rooted in data-driven, personalized care, but we also recognize the vital role of specialized physicians. If you or your primary care doctor decide that a consultation with a cardiologist is a necessary step in your health plan, knowing your local options is key. For those in northern Michigan, Traverse Heart & Vascular stands out as a prominent cardiology practice. This guide provides a clear overview of their services, policies, and locations to help you understand what they offer.

Medical Specialties and Conditions Treated

Understanding a clinic’s focus is the first step in determining if it’s the right fit for your needs. Traverse Heart & Vascular is a specialized cardiology practice dedicated entirely to diagnosing and managing issues related to the heart and blood vessels. Their team is equipped to handle a wide spectrum of cardiovascular concerns, from common conditions that require ongoing management to more complex cases needing advanced intervention. This singular focus allows them to provide a high level of expertise in their field, ensuring patients receive care that is centered on cardiovascular wellness and treatment.

Key Specialties

The clinic’s primary specialty is cardiology, which is the medical field focused on diseases and abnormalities of the heart. This includes everything from preventative care to complex treatment protocols. Their work covers the entire cardiovascular system, which includes your heart and the network of blood vessels that carry blood throughout your body. By concentrating on this specific area of medicine, they provide dedicated expertise for patients with established heart conditions or those who are at high risk and seeking preventative strategies.

Common Conditions Treated

The medical team at Traverse Heart & Vascular is experienced in treating a broad range of heart-related issues. They regularly manage common conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina pectoris), and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). The clinic also provides care for more structural problems, including heart valve diseases like aortic stenosis, and manages chronic conditions like heart failure. They also have a specific focus on heart disease in women, recognizing that symptoms and risk factors can differ between sexes.

Services and Staff

The quality of care you receive often comes down to the services offered and the team providing them. Traverse Heart & Vascular is structured to offer a full continuum of cardiac care, from the initial diagnostic stages to long-term treatment and management. This comprehensive model is supported by a sizable team of medical professionals, ensuring they have the capacity and breadth of expertise to serve the northern Michigan community. Their approach is designed to be a one-stop resource for most cardiovascular health needs.

Comprehensive Cardiac Services

The clinic provides complete services for heart and blood vessel diseases. This means their support extends across the entire patient journey, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Whether you are looking to proactively manage your heart health, get to the bottom of concerning symptoms, or follow a treatment plan for a diagnosed condition, their services are designed to cover all bases. This integrated approach helps ensure continuity of care, which is essential for managing long-term cardiovascular health effectively.

Our Medical Team

A large and diverse team is a sign of a well-established practice. Traverse Heart & Vascular is staffed by a team of 37 medical providers, including physicians and other clinical staff. This robust team allows the clinic to handle a high volume of patients across its multiple locations without compromising the quality of care. Having a large group of professionals under one roof also facilitates collaboration on complex patient cases, bringing multiple expert perspectives to the table to find the best treatment path forward.

Clinic Locations, Hours, and Contact Information

Accessibility is a critical factor when choosing a healthcare provider, especially for those juggling demanding schedules. Traverse Heart & Vascular operates two main offices and an additional eight clinic locations throughout northern Michigan, making it easier for patients across the region to receive specialized cardiac care. Knowing their locations and operating hours can help you coordinate appointments with your personal and professional commitments. Here is a breakdown of their key logistical information.

Traverse City Office

The clinic’s main office is centrally located in Traverse City. You can find it at 1200 Sixth St., Ste. 200, Traverse City, MI 49684. This location serves as the primary hub for their services and administrative operations. As the main facility, it likely offers the most comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment services available within their network.

Cadillac Office

In addition to their Traverse City location, the clinic maintains another major office in Cadillac, Michigan. This extends their reach and provides a convenient option for patients living further south. Having multiple key locations helps reduce travel time and makes specialized cardiology care more accessible to a wider population in the area.

Other Clinic Locations

To serve the broader northern Michigan community, Traverse Heart & Vascular operates eight additional satellite clinics. This extensive network demonstrates a commitment to bringing care closer to where patients live. Before booking, it’s a good idea to inquire which services are available at each specific satellite location, as offerings may vary compared to the main offices in Traverse City and Cadillac.

Office Hours and Website

The standard office hours for Traverse Heart & Vascular are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It’s always best to call ahead to confirm hours, especially for the satellite clinics. You can find more information about their practice, locations, and services on the Munson Healthcare website, which hosts their official online information.

Patient Policies and Procedures

Before your first visit to any new clinic, it’s helpful to understand their policies. This can save you time and prevent surprises related to referrals, billing, or appointments. Traverse Heart & Vascular has clear procedures in place for new patients, cancellations, payments, and prescription refills. Familiarizing yourself with these ahead of time ensures a smoother healthcare experience and allows you to focus on what matters most—your health.

New Patient Referrals

Traverse Heart & Vascular operates on a referral basis for new patients. This means you must first see your primary care physician, who will then need to provide a referral before you can schedule an appointment with the clinic. This policy is common for specialists and helps ensure that a visit to a cardiologist is medically necessary. It also provides the specialist with important background information from your primary doctor.

Appointment and Cancellation Policy

Life happens, and sometimes you need to reschedule. If you need to cancel or change an appointment, the clinic requires at least 24 hours’ notice. This policy is standard in healthcare and allows the clinic to offer the vacant slot to another patient in need of care. Failing to provide sufficient notice may result in a cancellation fee, so be sure to contact their office as soon as you know a change is needed.

Billing and Payment Information

The clinic’s policy is that payment for services is due in full at the time of your visit. If you are unable to pay on the day of your appointment, you should contact their billing department beforehand to discuss potential alternative arrangements. It’s always a good practice to check with your insurance provider before your visit to understand what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be.

Prescription Refills and After-Hours Care

For existing patients, managing prescriptions is made convenient through their patient portal. You can request refills directly through the portal, which is often faster and more efficient than calling the office. The portal is also the designated channel for handling after-hours care inquiries, ensuring you have a direct line to your healthcare team when you need it.

MyHealthInfo Patient Portal

In an era where we manage so much of our lives online, having digital access to your health information is a major advantage. Traverse Heart & Vascular uses the MyHealthInfo patient portal, a secure online platform that puts you in the driver’s seat of your healthcare management. This tool is designed for convenience, allowing you to handle administrative tasks and access your health records on your own schedule, which is a perfect fit for a busy professional’s lifestyle.

Portal Features and Benefits

The MyHealthInfo portal is your personal health hub. Through it, you can view lab results, check your medical records, request prescription refills, and communicate securely with your care team. This direct access empowers you to be a more active participant in your healthcare. Instead of waiting for a phone call, you can review your data as soon as it’s available, helping you prepare for your next appointment and track your progress over time.

How to Sign Up for the Portal

Getting started with the MyHealthInfo portal is simple. You have a few options: you can sign up online through the Munson Healthcare website, call their dedicated support line at 231-935-2026 during business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm), or complete the registration in person during your next clinic visit. Taking a few minutes to sign up can save you significant time in the long run.

Online Presence and Reviews

A clinic’s digital footprint can offer insights into how they engage with their community and manage their reputation. While online reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, they can provide a glimpse into the patient experience. It’s also helpful to see if a practice is actively managing its online profiles, as this can be an indicator of their commitment to patient communication and feedback in the digital space.

Yelp Business Information

According to its Yelp profile, the Traverse Heart & Vascular location in Cadillac has not been “claimed” by the business. This means the clinic is not actively managing its page on that platform. As a result, they are not responding to reviews or updating their business information on Yelp. For prospective patients, this means that the reviews or information found there may not be monitored or addressed by the clinic’s staff.

FAQs About the TRAVERSE Trial & FDA’s Label Change

1. What is the TRAVERSE Trial?

The TRAVERSE Trial was a large-scale study examining whether testosterone therapy increases cardiovascular risks. It found no significant difference in heart attack or stroke rates between TRT users and placebo groups.

2. Why did the FDA change the TRT warning label?

The FDA removed the boxed warning after reviewing TRAVERSE Trial data, which proved TRT does not increase cardiovascular risk in properly screened patients.

3. Does TRT increase heart attack risk?

No. The TRAVERSE Trial found no increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular deaths in men using testosterone therapy.

4. Is TRT safe for men with heart disease risk?

Yes, under medical supervision, TRT does not increase heart disease risk. However, every patient should undergo comprehensive lab testing before starting TRT.

5. How do I know if TRT is right for me?

Men experiencing low testosterone symptoms should undergo blood testing and a medical consultation to determine eligibility for TRT.

Get Expert Guidance on TRT at 1st Optimal

Book Online: Visit 1stOptimal.com
Call Us: (816) 744-6814
Email: membersupport@1stoptimal.com

Take the first step toward optimal health with 1st Optimal—Optimize you, Uplift Others.

Key Takeaways

Landmark Research Confirms TRT’s Cardiovascular Safety: The FDA removed its most serious warning on testosterone therapy after the TRAVERSE Trial showed it doesn’t increase heart attack or stroke risk. This is a significant shift, offering peace of mind for men considering treatment under medical guidance.
A Complete Health Plan Uses Both Data and Experts: The best health strategies combine cutting-edge science, like the TRT findings, with specialized medical expertise. Knowing when to bring in a specialist, such as a cardiologist, is a key part of a proactive approach to your long-term wellness.
Prepare for Specialist Visits to Save Time: Before booking with a specialist, understand their process. Most require a referral from your primary doctor, and knowing their policies on appointments and payments ahead of time makes the entire experience smoother.

Is TRT Safe? TRAVERSE Trial and Heart Health