Anabolic steroid use can lead to cardiovascular issues, such as coronary artery disease and sudden cardiac death.
Hypertrophy, ischemia, and electrical remodeling are potential cardiac consequences of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use.
Long-term AAS use increases the risk of premature death, especially in men, who may face higher risks of early death and hospital admissions.
Steroid use affects heart blood flow and clotting, leading to temporary rises in blood pressure, increased LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol levels.
These cardiac changes place users at an increased risk of coronary artery disease and life-threatening irregular heart rates.
AAS use has been linked to an increased risk of an irregular heart rate, heart palpitations, myocardial dysfunction, and coronary atherosclerosis.
Steroid-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most common medical cause of death in athletes, and it has been associated with performance-enhancing drug usage.
A review of steroid-related deaths shows that AAS abuse can cause SCD, although the underlying cardiac pathophysiological mechanism still needs more research.
A recent study found that glucocorticoids, a type of steroid medication, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in some individuals.
Steroids can also cause low cardiac output, leading to heart failure and depression, and these effects can persist for years after discontinuing steroid use.
Misuse of anabolic steroids can lead to heart attacks and other serious cardiac conditions.
Diuretics, commonly used by athletes to pass drug tests or manipulate weight, can lead to dehydration and increased cardiovascular risks.
Nonprescription steroid doses can be 10-100 times higher than prescribed therapeutic doses, significantly increasing the risk of adverse reactions.
Inhaled corticosteroids, commonly used for asthma, may slow growth rates in children.
Topical corticosteroids can cause thin skin, lesions, and acne, while injected corticosteroids can cause temporary side effects near the injection site.
Anabolic steroid misuse can lead to long-lasting heart disease risks and reduced quality of life.
Performance-enhancing drug abuse accounts for up to 22% of all SCDs among athletes.
Over 50% of steroid-related deaths occur in users under the age of 30, and teenagers represent a growing population of steroid users.