Adverse cardiovascular effects from the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids as ergogenic resources

Abstract

This review evaluates the documented cardiovascular functioning among anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users. AAS users manifest a reduction in HDL cholesterol, increased inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress. Strong evidence associating AAS use with blood pressure at hypertensive levels, as well as hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction has also been reported. Both epidemiological and autopsy studies attest the relationship between AAS use and early mortality. The review's limitations are noted.

Keywords: anabolic agents; cardiac hypertrophy; cardiovascular diseases; doping in sports; hypertension.