Study Examines Effects of Anabolic Steroids on Cardiovascular Health

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are associated with myocardial dysfunction and users are at an increased risk for future cardiovascular disease, according to the findings of a recent study.

The cross-sectional study included 140 experienced male weightlifters between 34 to 54 years of age. Eighty-six of the men reported using AAS for 2 or more years, and the remaining 54 reported no AAS use. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function, LV diastolic function, and coronary atherosclerosis (coronary artery plaque volume) were assessed as the 3 primary outcomes.
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AAS users had relatively reduced LV systolic function and diastolic function compared with nonusers. Those who reported currently taking AAS at the time of evaluation showed significantly reduced LV systolic function and diastolic function compared with users who were not currently taking AAS.

Compared with nonusers, AAS users had higher coronary artery plaque volume and lifetime AAS dose was strongly associated with coronary atherosclerotic burden.

“Long-term AAS use appears to be associated with myocardial dysfunction and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis,” the researchers concluded. “These forms of AAS-associated adverse cardiovascular phenotypes may represent a previously underrecognized public-health problem.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Baggish AL, Weiner RB, Kanayama G, et al. Cardiovascular toxicity of illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid use [published online May 22, 2017]. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.026945.