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Review
. 2020 Jul 22;12(7):e9333.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.9333.

Anabolic Steroids and Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Controversy

Jamal C Perry  1 , Tayná M Schuetz  1 , Mohammad D Memon  1 , Sadaf Faiz  1 , Ivan Cancarevic  2
Affiliations
Review

Anabolic Steroids and Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Controversy

Jamal C Perry et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Anabolic steroids (AS) are synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. The use of AS is not limited to bodybuilders and athletes, but non-athletes also use them. It is used to enhance athletic performance, induce muscle hypertrophy, and augment male sexual characteristics. AS use is associated with a wide range of side effects and potential cardiovascular complications. In this article, we have searched the available literature to investigate the association between AS use and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The results revealed that AS was linked to lipid metabolism derangements, hypertension, coagulation disorders, and cardiomyopathy. We concluded, based on the relevant data, that there was evidence that suggests an association with CVD, primarily myocardial infarction, fatal arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy in AS users. The general population should be informed of the risk. Also, methods of primary and secondary prevention should be implemented to mitigate the risk of CVD secondary to AS.

Keywords: anabolic steroids; cardiovascular.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Anabolic steroids and cardiovascular outcomes
This illustration depicts the relationship between anabolic steroid and cardiovascular disease. HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Left ventricular dysfunction
The data represent 19 weightlifters of which 12 were anabolic steroid users, and seven were non-users, observed over 468 weeks.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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