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+ 5 AAS and Blood Pressure

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After a few conversations about cycles and how various compounds can affect BP, I wanted to wrap my mind completely around the topic. Because AAS is such a controlled group of substances, scientific studies are not readily available to us. I spent a lil time digging in the textbooks and online and I was able to compile a few facts to explain the physiological effects of AAS in regards to blood pressure.

Some medical texts suggest that the blood pressure response to AAS is due to sodium-retention properties. The high doses of AAS will inhibit a particular enzyme (hydroxylase), which in turn leads to increased levels of a corticosteroid that inevitably causes sodium and water retention. Further adding to this is the fact that sodium is hydrophilic – meaning it loves water. When sodium moves in the body, water follows. Because the excessive sodium subsequently adds more water to the blood, the volume of liquids and solutes in the blood stream consequently yields increased pressure. Kind of like opening the faucet valve wide open on a garden hose – the more water entering that hose, the greater the pressure.

A newer study suggests another reason for elevated BP. In this study researchers studied the effects of AAS on the release of sympathetic hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones cause contractions of the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, and chronically elevated levels can cause elevated BP due to tightened blood vessels.

The final factor worth considering is that of cholesterol. It is a fact that some compounds cause increases in LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and decreases in HDL levels (good cholesterol). LDLs have been directly linked to hypertension, whereas HDLs have been proven to lower BP and reduces the risks. Persons with higher body fat percentages are at an even greater risk.

So, now the question may arise as to how to counter these effects. Some may say that a diuretic will keep the water off, so just add that to the cycle. Thing about diuretics is that they cause the body to excrete not only fluids but other minerals and electrolytes as well. This leads to imbalances and a host of adverse effects. Maintaining a fluid balance is the best defense against these adverse effects. Do not use diuretics unless you know what you’re doing.

As for the sympathetic hormones activities, nitric oxide supplements can aide in counteracting them, but only to a short-lived extent. Once again, balance is key – good diet, proper exercise, flexibility, and appropriate recovery. Resistance, aerobic, and flexibility exercises will all increase blood flow to the muscles, which will help counteract the sympathetic hormones’ activity.

Cholesterol… Higher body fat will increase the levels of LDL on its own. Focusing on lowering that body fat to a safe range prior to the use of AAS will be extremely beneficial. Outside of this, certain aspects of the diet can affect cholesterol levels in a positive way. Fiber has been shown to lower LDLs and increase HDLs. Likewise, regular exercise has been shown to increase HDL levels. Once again, balance is key.

References:

http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/steroids-and-blood-pressure/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabolic_steroid
Understanding Nutrition, 10th Edition by Ellie Whitney / Sharon Rady Rolfes

Nitti's picture

Good read brother! Something that a lot overlook is the connection between "roid rage" or just irritability/aggression and high blood pressure. I firmly believe that roid rage is a myth. There are definitely some compounds that will assist with increased,CONTROLLED aggression (for training) but uncontrollable rage or aggression I believe is a direct result of high BP. This was suggested to me about a year ago and I tested this theory. Sure enough, when I would feel easily irritated and frankly "Pissed off", I checked my bp and what'd ya know! Yup, high blood pressure. Good post bro! +1

Nitti's picture

You're using the word "raging" like its a given. I strongly disagree. I am perfectly fine 90% of the time. When I do start feeling "irritable" (which leads to the raging) I notice my bp is high. Example, at work. Day is going fine. Happy , smiling. Then I start feeling a little edgy. Crabby. Then someone pisses me off. I wasn't raging. I was fine. I grew irritable. It's always my bp

Nitti's picture

My point is I never just rage. Well I can't say never buy when I do it's just my short fuse. Few and far between now in my old age. But I do get irritable. Sometimes my AI needs tweaking. Sometimes it's just the nature of the beast. High bp is a common side and I believe it is what causes these so called fits of roid rage

Nitti's picture

Ok, I'll give you that. AAS amplifies emotion ,good or bad. But when you're not quite feeling yourself. Maybe you were perfectly ok and suddenly notice you feel irritable or on edge. Check your bp. I'm challenging everyone to do so. I'm not just pulling this out of my ass. I raised this question about a year or so ago and I was challenged in this way by the one and only Guru. Sure enough, my bp was high. So was my estrogen I found out later.

Nitti's picture

I don't want you to think I'm disagreeing your point. I agree that rage or anger will raise bp. That's a given. I just think its two separate issues. Getting in an accident is going to enrage most of us. But gradually getting irritable is something different and that is what I believe "roid rage" is blamed on. That short fuse, irritable, moody episode. My wife used to say "you're mean on cycle". That's what I'm saying. Bp is elevated, you'll be mistaken for a roid raging asshole.

snuka2012's picture

Good read bro +1...any take on donating blood while on cycle?

floridajoe's picture

I'm on TRT and give blood. Red Cross ask what I take and I tell them Test Cyp and they have no problem with it. The lady even commented that it was good to have the extra red blood cells. I'm just glad they don't ask how much I take....LOL

snuka2012's picture

Thanks buddy for the straight 411

snuka2012's picture

Don't hold me to this...but I thought TRT users are expected to donate blood because of the high red blood count. Whoever gets the blood, testosterone is taken care of by the kidneys and liver or used by the body. I assume the same would also happen with estrogen. Maybe someone can chime in to confirm or correct.

snuka2012's picture

Who knows? Maybe women would get a short term libido increase too because of increased test.

snuka2012's picture

Not on cycle, I do regular cardio anyway and it seems to help keep BP under control...but was curious if this would be another means to combatting high BP on cycle. It would be interesting to get a take from others.

snuka2012's picture

It'd be stop gap unless you this could be done with some sort of regularity, say once a month, just throwing out a number.

Sumatra_Triangle's picture

i went to use the arm cuff BP machine at walmart, first it numbed my arm then I flexed and I broke the cuff, then straight total recalled that bitch and escaped like arnold.

MASSIVE48's picture

Nice read brotha good shit as always! X) +1

Gerbil's picture

I could have missed it in here, but I keep hearing that lowering sodium intake on cycle will also help keep blood pressure in check.

Barracuda's picture

Hey Dossy,
I shoulda known - been feeling the increase in pressure. Because I felt it, I checked it yesterday and not too bad 136/86 - heart rate was elevated at around 88 BPM - but I wished it were a bit lower on all sides - and typically is lower (more like 120/80 and 70 BPM). But, I've had to work to get it in the normal range. I've been riding the lifecycle bike 5 days a week/30 minutes at 140 beats per minute for 30 minutes for about 7 years. I'm gonna start checking the blood pressure at least 1/week to see where this goes, but it looks like I'm gonna have to go to 6 or 7 days a week on the bike - and/or longer than 30 minutes each trip if I want to incorporate the AAS. And I know I have to do this quick - because blood pressure goes up 7 times faster than it goes down. Getting old is a work out all by itself! I definitely noticed after starting AAS big time on the bike that the heart rate jumps way up. For example - I usually ride at level 7 to get 140 Beats per minute. Since my first Test shot last week - I'm down between levels 4/5 on the bike to get to 140 BPM. Which is way less effort (level 4 vs 7)- but produces the same heart rate. I obviously don't live to ride a life cycle - I ride to live.
Which reminds me - He died so I can live and I live because He died. T Sound familiar? Smile Don't ya love paradox?

hypnoso's picture

Very good read bro! +1 from me.

Catalyst's picture

Good read. I'm giving you a +1.

Welcome to level 2!

floridajoe's picture

With all that said (great read BTW), I wonder if adding GW501516 to every cycle would help.......
GW-50156 regulates fat burning through a number of widespread mechanisms;[8] it increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue and increases muscle gene expression, especially genes involved in preferential lipid utilization.[9][10][11] This shift changes the body's metabolism to favor burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates or muscle protein, potentially allowing clinical application for obese patients to lose fat effectively without experiencing muscle catabolism or the effects and satiety issues associated with low blood sugar.[12] GW-501516 also increases muscle mass, which improved glucose tolerance and reduced fat mass accumulation even in mice fed a very high fat diet, suggesting that GW-501516 may have a protective effect against obesity...
It has been demonstrated at oral doses of 10 mg a day to reverse metabolic abnormalities in obese men with pre-diabetic metabolic syndrome, most likely by stimulating fatty acid oxidation.[14] Treatments with GW-501516 have been shown to increase HDL cholesterol by up to 79% in rhesus monkeys and the compound is now undergoing Phase II trials to improve HDL cholesterol in humans.[15]

floridajoe's picture

I have been researching the GW for only about a week now. when I'm on a cycle I have borderline HBP, so your post was really interesting to me. I think I am going to take the plunge and order some (even though it is higher than giraffe pussy). I hope some of the vets would comment about running this with tren ace.

floridajoe's picture

yeah bro, 39 and about 12 cycles under my belt. Been off for a cpl years though and I am preparing to get blasted for my BF% and considering even using tren right now.lol

floridajoe's picture

deca yes, tren no..... Been feared of it. Ordered some TMT but like I said BF% is in high teens and I think tren sides are associated with BF. IMO Thanks for accepting the FR will stay in touch on PM so not to highjack your post anymore! lol