Effect of AS on your HEART

[merely mortal]

Can anyone shed some like on what effect AS have on your heart?

Obviously anavar and dbol are the totally different spectrums of strenght, but I was wondering about a general effect?

The reason I ask is a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with heart disease and he thinks the three cycles he did may have contributed to this.

The only objective conclusions that I can come up with to back this up would be:

1) AS can send your choloestrol levels and BP way up and over time this could damage your heart

2) Slightly more general, but while you're on AS you'll be lifting weights your body could never naturally lift, thereby placing HUGE strain on your heart (I think this could apply to all bodybuilders!), and this could contribute

I'm no doctor, but would greatly appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on this rather personal subject for me.

THANK YOU

 

[xmoulton508x]

Yeah it could have possibly contributed to it......I'm sure it's not the single factor that caused him to be diagnosed with it. AS cause the enlargement of heart muscles, higher blood pressure, and an up in cholesterol levels. All of which could have compounded what existing chances he had of developing heart disease. Also depending on how much muscle and extra body weight he is carrying around could put additional strain on the heart.

 

[reconnect]

bump

 

[Charles Ray]

Yes and yes. They both contribute to heart disease but I'm sure that the AS aggravated what was already happening to his body. Think about the some of the crazy cycles that these guys have been doing for years and they're still alive. Heart disease has more to do with genetics than anything else. Although, AS DOES increase your chances of heart disease it's not the sole reason.

 

[DrJMW]

If you watch your carb intake and keep your cholesterol levels (LDL) down, then AS has a positive effect on cardiac tissue. Many doctors know this from studies. Surprisingly, they have discovered that Test, not estrogen, protects the heart from heart diseases. Still have to watch your carb intake.

 

[merely mortal]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like AS is a contributer not a cause.

DrJMW, that sure is news to me, thanks!
Do you know of any studies which could back that up?
Also does your statement apply to all steroids??

Thanks again

If you watch your carb intake and keep your cholesterol levels (LDL) down, then AS has a positive effect on cardiac tissue. Many doctors know this from studies. Surprisingly, they have discovered that Test, not estrogen, protects the heart from heart diseases. Still have to watch your carb intake.

 

[macDbol]

how old is your friend?

 

[merely mortal]

He's 23, very physically fit, low BP and LDL, and no family history... so it's all a bit strange!

He's got something called "dilated cardiomyopathy" I think

 

[reconnect]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like AS is a contributer not a cause.

DrJMW, that sure is news to me, thanks!
Do you know of any studies which could back that up?
Also does your statement apply to all steroids??

Thanks again

jep I would like to see some backup doku on that hope you are right

 

[musclebones]

what were your friends 3 cycles ??

you have got me thinking seriously about not doinga nother cycle I appreciate my heart.

 

[liftsiron]

Dilated cardiomyopathy means that your friend has an enlarged weakened heart. It could have been caused by a number of things including infection. Studies have shown that the left ventricle in atheletes often enlarges with or without steroid use. Does anabolic use cause it to be more severe? The jury is still out on that one. Uncontrolled BP over a long peroid of time as well as an elevated Heart rate can bring this condition on. Dr. JMW I also have read many studies as to the beneifits of test injections in the treatment of heart disease. Do you know what your's friends injection fraction is? EF is a pretty good indicator of where your friend stands at present. Your friend needs follow up with a cardiologist asap. If he hasn't already he will need and echocardiogram and a stress test, and maybe a muga scan to determine a mode of treatment. There are some good meds to treat this conditon. Often the only surgical option is heart transplant.

 

[the_Pikey]

Here is the truth....

http://www.steroidlaw.com/healthrisks.htm#1

(too much to cut & paste)

 

[heat22144]

recently medical doctors were using t-2 for a male form of birth control-- i dont think after 3 cycles he could have obtained those problems, especially with no medical history/heredity-- the body can process up to 100mgs a day extra of test i.e 700mg week of test!-- good luck to your friend

 

[wilson6]

I've been through the literature on this. While some link AAS to dilated cardiomyopathy, there are many more likely causes in young guys. Three cycles as the cause, I highly doubt it. Perhaps worsened the problem yes, but caused it, no, unless the gear was contaminated (bacterial, viral or chemical).

There was work done some time ago in mice that showed that androgens worsened the survival rate following a coxsackie viral infection that caused myocarditis. This is why it is important to avoid training when you have a febrile viral infection or strep.

W6

 

[merely mortal]

Dilated cardiomyopathy means that your friend has an enlarged weakened heart. It could have been caused by a number of things including infection. Studies have shown that the left ventricle in atheletes often enlarges with or without steroid use. Does anabolic use cause it to be more severe? The jury is still out on that one. Uncontrolled BP over a long peroid of time as well as an elevated Heart rate can bring this condition on. Dr. JMW I also have read many studies as to the beneifits of test injections in the treatment of heart disease. Do you know what your's friends injection fraction is? EF is a pretty good indicator of where your friend stands at present. Your friend needs follow up with a cardiologist asap. If he hasn't already he will need and echocardiogram and a stress test, and maybe a muga scan to determine a mode of treatment. There are some good meds to treat this conditon. Often the only surgical option is heart transplant.

Thanks alot for the replies guys!

I had to call him up, and he says his Ejection Fraction is 50% (LV size is 6.15 cm3), which he says isn't too bad. The weird think is he's got NO signs of the disease. He still goes to the gym and does lots of cardio work and avoids the heavy weights. Says he's never out of breath or anything, just slightly light-headed if he lifts heavy (he's not alone on that one!). The only reason he had an echo-scan in the first place was because he felt a slight aching in his chest occasionaly after sport.

His cycles were mild (winny and avavar), but he's pissed cos he feels he's brought the whole thing on himself by using the roids.

I guess if you're gonna lift big/train hard/take AS, we should all have echocardiograms to make sure we aren't overstressing any pre-existing conditions! Scary, but apparently 1 in 50 in the US develop cardiomyopathy!! (Source: American Heart Foundation Website)

Thanks again 4 the replies.

 

[DrJMW]

I am sure that I have read about the positive effects of AS on cardiac tissue in multiple sites. Try www.lef.org; I think I even read an article in webmd..try a search on testosterone and heart.

 

[liftsiron]

An injection fraction of 50% really is nothing to worry about, it very likly may be normal for your friend. I still suggest that he do a follow up with a specialist.