Steroid users have high risks linked with heart failure

Prolonged intake of anabolic steroids can cause various heart problems. It enhances risks linked with heart failure. These statements have been noted in a study that has been written in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids act like the hormone testosterone that occurs naturally and which is responsible for development of male sex characteristics.
The leader of the study Aaron L. Baggish confirms that in addition to the factor that anabolic steroids are illicit, they are associated with unwanted effects for health. He notices that it is the first time, when negative effect of prolonged intake of steroids on heart is clearly recognized.
The study demonstrated that the left ventricle in users of steroids was essentially weaker during contraction than in those who didn’t use steroids.
A left ventricle which works correctly pumps out 55-70 % of the blood which fills the heart.
 12 consumers of steroids were implicated in the study. It was demonstrated that the left ventricles of 83 % these steroid users worked improperly: they pumped out less than 55 % of the blood.   Among the examined non-users only one person experienced disorders connected with the function of the left ventricle.
The study manifested that ventricle relaxation among users of steroids was lowered by circa half. It was 0, 93 among users of steroids; 1, 80 – among non-steroid users. The structure of the left ventricle was the same in both groups: users of steroids and non-users.
It was used the test “Doppler echocardiography” for examination of function and structure of the left ventricle. This test uses ultrasound for creation of moving pictures of the heart and its blood flow.
 The group of steroid users included twelve weightlifters at the age of about 40 that confirmed that they applied approximately 675 mg of steroids weekly for 9 years. Another group included weightlifters who didn’t administer steroids. Both groups had similar physical activity and similar risks linked with heart disorders. But they had differences in body weight and muscle size. The steroid users had more muscular appearance.
However small number of steroid users has been examined, the results have demonstrated that there is a strong link between application of steroids and heart impairment.
The experts decided to conduct further researches in order to support the results of this research.
Baggish and his colleagues hope that people will comprehend that application of steroids may lead to heart diseases and different unexplained heart disorders in young people.