The effects of steroids on the heart and cardiovascular system

Author: Alexey - consultant for the website Ru-steroids.
2016-09-01

Important! We do not advocate for the use of steroids and other potent substances. All information is provided so that those who still decide to take them can do so with minimal health risks.

The debates about the effects of steroids on the human body, particularly on the cardiovascular system (CVS), continue unabated. The number of supporters and opponents of sports pharmacology is approximately equal, and each side presents their arguments to either prove the benefits or the harms of various substances. An objective assessment of the impact of anabolic and androgenic steroids on the heart is the primary goal of this material. Let's attempt to understand the positive and negative aspects of steroids' effects on heart function.

Steroids and the Cardiovascular System: Public Opinion

There are no definitive opinions on the effects of anabolic and androgenic steroids on the cardiovascular system. Specialists in sports pharmacology claim that steroids do not have a direct negative impact on the heart. If the recommended usage guidelines and post-cycle therapy are followed, no adverse effects should arise. The commonly held public opinion is unyielding: steroids are harmful to the heart, and any deviations in its function are directly tied to these substances. An example often cited is the reduction in high-density lipoproteins (HDL, or "good cholesterol") levels that occurs with the use of high doses of steroids.

Good cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the human body are typically in a ratio of about 60% to 34%. An increase in LDL and a decrease in HDL is a direct path to the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemia, atherosclerosis, and other serious conditions.

Additionally, it is commonly believed that significantly exceeding steroid dosages will inevitably lead to increased blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmias, and, consequently, to heart attacks and strokes. However, no one has yet specified what exact dosage of anabolic steroids leads to such consequences.

Another widespread belief is that the use of anabolic/androgenic steroids causes myocardial hypertrophy. Usually, if an athlete engaged in weightlifting is diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy, doctors are convinced that the changes in the heart are caused by the effects of steroids.

Our note: The aforementioned deviations in heart function are the beginnings of serious cardiovascular diseases.

Steroids and the Cardiovascular System: Scientific Research

As previously mentioned, changes in the ratio of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the body under the influence of androgenic/anabolic steroids can indeed lead to disturbances in heart function.

Several years ago, scientists actively studied the effects of sports pharmacology drugs on the human cardiovascular system. Surprisingly, they found no deviations in heart function among bodybuilders who used anabolic steroids, nor could they detect significant differences in the structure and functional capacities of the cardiovascular organs between athletes who used steroids and those who had never taken them. Confirmation of this can be found in the scientific work from 2001 titled "Steroids and Arterial Structure and Function in Male Bodybuilding."

In 1997, another study was conducted. This experiment not only addressed the actions of anabolic agents on the heart but also examined the impact of age-related changes on the production of testosterone. The study involved 66 men aged 40 to 60 years.

During the experiment, it was discovered that the decrease in testosterone production in men over forty coincided with an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein levels. At the conclusion of the study, researchers concluded that the propensity for heart disease is directly related to testosterone levels in the blood of men.

Our note: The level of the male hormone can be quickly and safely increased by purchasing Deca Durabolin from an online store specializing in sports pharmacology products.

A similar scientific study was conducted by Polish researchers Zgliczynski, Ossowski, and Slowinska-Srednicka in 1996. They examined the effects of sports pharmacology drugs on the cardiovascular system. A group of 22 men with low testosterone levels received testosterone enanthate injections at a dose of 200 mg daily. After the experiment, it was found that testosterone and estradiol levels normalized in the patients, HDL remained within normal limits, and LDL levels decreased.

The effects of high doses of anabolic steroids on blood vessels and the heart were studied by researchers from the University of North Texas in the USA. The aim of their research was to demonstrate the action of steroids on both LDL and HDL. As a result of the study, a decrease in HDL was noted, while the researchers also discovered that at high doses of steroids, LDL levels decreased simultaneously with HDL. Triglycerides remained within normal ranges. The researchers also noted low levels of apolipoprotein B in the body (an increased level raises the risk of developing serious heart diseases).

The researchers concluded that increased dosages of steroids do not pose a threat for the development of cardiovascular diseases.

A great deal has been written and said about the impact of anabolic substances on blood pressure increase. Opponents of sports pharmacology link elevated blood pressure with the use of anabolic steroids. However, it turns out that this issue is not so straightforward. There is a study on this topic (conducted in 1988 at the request of the Journal of Hypertension). The result of the experiment revealed that blood pressure rises due to a decrease in testosterone production in the body. Moreover, it has been found that not all steroids lead to fluid retention, weight gain, and elevated blood pressure. Information on whether any specific steroid causes such phenomena can be found in the product's instructions, while understanding one's own body's characteristics and predisposition to certain diseases can only be assessed after thorough medical examination.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and its causes in athletes were studied by researchers from the University of North Texas in the USA. The researchers concluded that steroids do not cause this condition; rather, it can be induced by excessive physical exertion, which is prevalent among all professional athletes.

Conclusions

The information about the harmful effects of steroids on the human body in general and the cardiovascular system in particular is greatly exaggerated. Such conclusions become apparent after a detailed study of the topic. In reality, the use of recommended doses of testosterone and similar substances is not only harmless but essential for individuals with impaired or reduced natural hormone production. You can purchase Stanozolol or Oxandrolone to assist your hormonal system at our online store.

Excessively high dosages of sports pharmacology products can stress the body significantly; one should not ignore specialist advice or experiment with extreme doses of anabolic steroids. In other cases, steroid medications do not pose a considerable danger to the heart, blood vessels, or other organs in the body. Far greater harm can be caused by harmful habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use. Combining these habits with serious training and the intake of steroid medications is categorically prohibited. We wish all our readers strong health and excellent results in their sports careers!