Impact of Anabolics on Men's Heart Health: New Findings
Long-term use of anabolic steroids can seriously disrupt heart function. However, a new study has shown that some dangerous changes can gradually disappear after discontinuing the drugs.
Researchers from the University of Oslo observed middle-aged men engaged in strength training for nearly ten years. They were interested in how anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), used to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance, affect the heart in the long term.
According to estimates, up to four million people aged 13 to 50 in the U.S. use anabolic steroids, predominantly men. However, the long-term consequences of such drug use are still insufficiently studied.
How Anabolics Damage the Heart
The study showed that prolonged steroid use is associated with thickening of the left ventricle wall of the heart. This part of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood into the aorta, from where it is distributed to all organs.
When the heart muscle becomes too thick, it becomes harder for the ventricle to relax and effectively pump blood. Over time, this can lead to serious deterioration of heart function. Particularly concerning was the finding that 17% of men who continued using anabolics experienced significant heart function decline.
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What Nearly a Decade of Observation Revealed
The study involved 105 men: 70 had used anabolic steroids in the past or continued to do so, while 35 had never used such drugs and formed the control group.
Among the 70 men with a history of anabolic use, 35 continued to use them. The others either completely stopped using the drugs or intermittently returned to them.
Participants provided detailed information about their health status, training, steroid dosages, alcohol use, and other substances. Blood and urine tests were also conducted, along with echocardiography — an ultrasound examination of the heart.
The results showed that men who continued using anabolics had persistent heart function issues. Even reducing dosages did not guarantee improvement.
For those who continued using steroids and did not take blood pressure medications, the left ventricle's contractile function declined by 8%. In contrast, men receiving treatment for hypertension saw an 11% improvement, although the thickness of the heart muscle did not decrease.
Can the Heart Recover After Stopping Steroids?
The good news is that some changes were found to be reversible. Among 15 men who completely stopped using anabolics, researchers observed a significant reduction in heart muscle thickness compared to previous examinations.
“Discontinuing anabolic use was associated with a reduction in heart muscle thickening and improvement in its function. This suggests that at least some negative consequences may be reversible,” the authors noted.
In some cases, heart function indicators after prolonged abstinence from the drugs even approached those of men who had never used anabolics.
What Conclusions Did the Researchers Draw?
The authors note that the study was relatively small, and some information about drug use was based on participants' self-reports. Therefore, the results require confirmation in larger studies.
Moreover, researchers could not completely rule out the influence of other lifestyle factors on heart health. Nevertheless, the study provided important data on the long-term consequences of anabolic use.
