+ 7 Steroids and the most important muscle; THE HEART
I found this to be an interesting read. Most of us focus on liver health so I though this would be a good addition
I sourced the article at the bottom of the page.
Most people don't realize that anabolic steroids are essentially synthetic versions of testosterone. True, they vary on how androgenic (their ability to influence physical sex characteristics) they are and how anabolic (how much they stimulate growth) they are, but they're all pretty much just testosterone wearing different chemical hats and different pairs of flashy pants.
Quite obviously, there's a sizeable subsection of athletes – bodybuilders in particular – that have been using staggering amounts of these testosterone analogs for a long time and doctors have finally begun to take notice of them.
The news isn't good. According to a study conducted by American cardiologists, large amounts of steroids, taken for lengthy periods of time, seem to wreak havoc on the heart. Paradoxically, low levels of the papa steroid – testosterone – also seem to play havoc on the heart, but for different reasons. How the hell does a weightlifting fella' win?
What Steroids Can Do to Your Ticker
Anabolic steroids cause muscles to grow. The heart, while it's a different kind of muscle than skeletal muscle, is still a muscle. Hence, it too can be spurred to grow when introduced to anabolic steroids.
While growth of the heart doesn't instinctually sound like a bad thing, it can cause the walls of the heart to thicken to the point where they lose pliability and have difficulty pumping blood. Think of how difficult it would be to squeeze ketchup out of a Nalgene bottle and you'll get the picture.
Secondly, long-term use of anabolic steroids has been implicated in increased coronary atherosclerosis.
What the Docs Found
Doctors scavenged around for 86 male steroid users, all of whom had been moose-ing up with illegal steroids for an average of seven years. All were dedicated bodybuilders. They also recruited 54 non-steroid using lifters. The cardiovascular systems of both groups were analyzed and compared.
The docs then measured the capacity of their hearts to pump blood, along with the degree of plaque that was gumming up their blood vessels. There were four primary findings:
AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroid) users demonstrated substantial impairment of the left ventricular systolic function.
AAS users also showed impaired left ventricular diastolic functioning.
AAS users showed significantly more hypertrophy of the left ventricle than non-users.
AAS use was associated with increased coronary atherosclerosis, and the degree of atherosclerosis correlated with how long they'd been using. In fact, the degree of plaque found in their hearts was pretty scary.
The group of non-steroid users exhibited generally normal readings on all tests. The longer lifters took steroids, the worse it got. While the blood vessels of users might not have exhibited that much change during the first 6 or 7 years, things snowballed, or should I say fatballed, after that.
If there's any good news in this report, it's that those lifters who were off-cycle during the study showed better left ventricular systolic ejection (how forcefully the blood squirts out of the heart), suggesting that some of the damage may be reversible.
The authors of the study concluded the following:
"In aggregate, our findings suggest that long-term AAS use is associated with adverse cardiovascular phenotypes characterized by both myocardial pathology and coronary artery pathology, which may represent a clinically substantial and largely unrecognized public health problem."
The Other Side of the Testosterone Coin
If taking large amounts of synthetic testosterone is bad, so is having low levels of natural testosterone. A huge meta analysis in JAMA examined the results of over 100 testosterone studies and determined that low testosterone levels can severely affect heart health, often manifesting itself in the following ways:
Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
Narrowing of carotid arteries
Increased incidence of angina
Abnormal EKGs
More frequent congestive heart failure
What's All This Mean to You?
If anything can be gleaned from these reports, it's that moderation is the smart way to go. If you decide to use AAS, do them for a short, pre-defined cycle and then back off.
And, if you have any symptoms of low testosterone, get thee to a doc and demand a blood test to find out if you're low. (Just because you test "normal," though, doesn't mean you are normal. Again, go by your symptoms.)
If your doc thinks testosterone replacement therapy is right for you, remember that anything over 200 mg. a week is, in fact, a small steroid cycle, designed more for putting on muscle than for your health.
Article is from T-Nation
https://www.t-nation.com/pharma/tip-steroids-vs-your-heart
Sources
Aaron L. Baggish, Rory B. Weiner, Gen Kanayama, James I. Hudson, Michael T. Lu, Udo Hoffmann, Harrison G. Pope, " Cardiovascular Toxicity of Illicit Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use," Circulation, 2017;135:1991-2002.
Rebecca Vigen, MD, MSCS1, et al., "Association of Testosterone Therapy With Mortality, Myocardial Infarction, and Stroke in Men With Low Testosterone Levels." JAMA. 2013;310(17):1829-1836
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Good post. I got heart looked. Where they put the gel on your chest. That was a couple years ago. He said everything was good. Need to do again. And ill stick to low dosages.
Copy and past earns a downvote from me especially since a user posted this same post less than a week ago.
Who_CaresI was unaware someone posted this. I also sourced it at the bottom of the article. I never claimed to have written this article. Just looking out for others because I thought it was good info. But I guess there is always a few that like to look at a good thing in a negative way. To each his own
DobermannYep yep alrdy planned my retirement from anabolics...it aint worth it in the end.
This was posted 4 days ago by shawn0712 https://www.eroids.com/forum/general/general-talk/an-unpopular-opinion.....
serious stuff. the more of us that take it seriously, the better
Who_CaresSorry giardap I was aware of the posting of this. I’m happy I did it anyway because I think there was many who didn’t see it because it looks like it was in Gdneral Talk. I feel it’s important enough to make sure as many as possible get to read it.
I remember this exact post looks like a copy and paste from the article
Who_CaresThat link is not valid. For the first posting.
Saying that link isn’t found
Reality, sad but true
"If anything can be gleaned from these reports, it's that moderation is the smart way to go"
The problem I think is that people who lift weights do not really mind to moderation ... testosterone pushes you to take more risks. Thank you for the post.
Risk Vs Reward. I know the risks and the issues that can come with it. As long as the person understands what they are getting into. Its not a hobby but a lifestyle. And with any lifestyle one must take proper precautions. Dieting, Sleeping, No Drugs, minimal to no alcohol. And most importantly a good honest relations with your doctor with proper blood works and etc.
I mean if you start to see stuff coming back abnormal, adjust and move on. And if have to stop all together and just live Natty.
Shoot, look at Big Ron and that doc. he doesn't regret nothing. Me personally, Hell No, that is not worth it to me. Not to be able to run with his kids at all. He will eventually become wheelchair bound.
Who_CaresI was really considering a very aggressive cycle. I now decided not to after reading this article.
What were you planning?
Who_CaresI was considering Parabolan @ 600mg a week
With Test E 800 a week with some 50dbol first 6-8 weeks. To me that aggressive
Yes excellent to focus on. Many pro bodybuilders have enlarged hearts which may sound good, but is not!
Good stuff bro
Who_CaresThanks 333 just wants everyone to remember that heart muscle health
RustyhookerThorough post. The scarey truth
For sure the scary truth
Who_CaresTell me about it. I never really think about heart health. We focus on liver and kidneys while the heart takes a back seat. I’m going to start seeing a cardiologist just to make sure I’m not destroying my heart.
Achilles412This was posted the other day but still thanks for taking the time to shed light on heart health. I’m going to repeat some
Stuff I said in previous post just because this topic is very important. Yearly trips to cardiologist are a must be open when you speak to your cardiologist and discuss AAS usage and demand tests as they may not understand why you are there to see them w out any pre existing issues. Ask for EKG which most of us larger guys or high level competitors will come back failed which blows my mind lol an ultra sound which really is the best way to assure proper heart function and lastly ask for calcium index test which is an Catscan of the heart which shows how much plaque build up is occurring in the heart. Also a lot of guys do not think to use natural supplements in regards to heart health. Vitamin k+d, magnesium, CoQ10, fish oil, beet root juice, garlic are all things that can and should be taken daily that would help tremendously with heart health. Many guys here are so obsessed with bloods and estro levels which are great and important but do nothing for their hearts so i am happy to see that heart health is becoming more of an important topic here. Also daily cardio is essential for your heart as well. 30 min brisk walk does wonders for your heart. Lastly the mass amounts of hormones being used are the real issues with the heart so many ppl are running 2-3 grams of gear weekly as if it is safe and even necessary. It’s not. Unless you are being paid and providing for your family with your physique no one should come close to those numbers.
Do you know of any good heart healtg specific supplements. Like a all in one capsule of sorts? I like the little red omega pills that have 3 6 and 9. I need to find a all encompassing heart one
Achilles412There is a few supps that contain multiple fish oils I prefer omegalyze by species because it also contains prime rose oil but as far as a heart supp tHat one stop shop I don’t really believe in any I use everything I suggested in previous post. Vitamin k+d coq10 magnesium omegalyze n2guard beet root juice garlic and some other natural products
Who_CaresSorry Achilles I wasn’t aware of the post. I since made a cardiologist appointment. Blood, EKG, and Stress Test. I just feel scummy telling the doc I use Gear. I don’t want to be looked at like that but I guess it’s best to be honest with your doc.
Achilles412Nah man who cares if you can’t be honest you can’t be helped. Glad you made An appointment your doing the right thing. Good luck you’ll be fine
Who_CaresThanks for the positive support Achilles