Amanda Green – Cardiology Department
Anabolic steroids (AS) are variants of the natural male hormone testosterone. This synthetically produced medicine is used to promote muscle growth and enhance/improve physical performance and appearance. Steroids are additionally prescribed to treat inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, asthma, and skin rashes. Recent research has found the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases with prolonged, increasing treatment of steroids. It is important to highlight that even consuming low doses of steroids for a short period of time has a risk of CVD.
The article by Perry et al investigates the association between AS and CVD. This paper reviewed nine articles published between 2005 and 2019 and found that some studies suggested the risk is linked to chronic use, while others suggest that there exist cardiovascular drug effects in a short period of drug use. Seven of the nine studies showed elevated blood pressure, alterations in lipid metabolism, and coronary atherosclerosis within users of anabolic steroids, concluding a linkage between AS and CVD.
Anabolic steroids (AS) are used by both athletes and non-athletes. This article estimates that 3.3% of high school teens use steroids, along with 1-2% of athletes. Over time, this drug has become more popular with the general population to ultimately improve one’s physical abilities and appearance. Heart health is a major crisis globally, and the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that 85% of the 17.9 million CVD deaths in 2016 were due to heart attack and stroke. The suspicion of the association between AS and CVD is severely supported and confirmed through the studies and articles reviewed in this paper. The particular CVDs linked with the use of AS include congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.
While much evidence supports these cardiovascular effects, very few articles and studies exist against the association. More information and investigation are needed to confirm the direct risk factor of AS usage, however, it can be concluded that individuals using AS develop CVD risk factors. Because this medication is gaining popularity globally, it is important to increase awareness of this association, especially with the use of AS in a very low dosage.
References:
Perry JC, Schuetz TM, Memon MD, Faiz S, Cancarevic I. Anabolic Steroids and Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Controversy. Cureus. 2020;12(7):e9333. Published 2020 Jul 22. doi:10.7759/cureus.9333
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