Steroids and Heart problems

[Rossatron]

Hi all, new member here!

I'm curious as to your views on steroids effects on the heart, I have a mild mitral valve prolapse (with no regurgatation) I'm 25, 6'5" and 15st8oz at 7.8%BF

I've been lifting seriously for about 4 years and made steady gains in size and strength, I take creatine and glutamine with no ill affects.

My heart does not effect me day to day and I have routine EchoCardioGrams every other year, there has been no change in my heart in the 10 years since I've been having the scans.

Does anyone think it would be a problem for me to use steroids because of my heart? Or maybe certain types of steroid?

If I forgot to post any information that you need just let me know and I'll post it up.

Cheers
Rossatron

 

[DavidMills]

Is it really worth it to find out?

 

[Jenetic]

I'm curious as to your views on steroids effects on the heart

The human heart expresses the androgen receptor and is therefore a target organ for androgens. Cardiomegaly has been reported in the preclinical studies of AAS, and electron microscopy shows disintegration of intercalated discs, mitochondriolysis, myofibrillolysis, and intracellular edema when AAS is given in conjunction with physical training. A study of male athletes found significantly greater cardiovascular risk factors in AAS users than nonusers. Subjects using AAS had a high total cholesterol/HDL ratio, higher low density lipoprotein levels, and lower HDL levels compared with nonusers.

It should also be noted that no clinical study has yet demonstrated a conclusive link between AAS use and fatal cardiovascular events.

Jenetic

 

[SemperFidelis]

Excellent info Jenetic.

 

[DIVISION]

Steroids and Heart problems....no link

A study of male athletes found significantly greater cardiovascular risk factors in AAS users than nonusers. Subjects using AAS had a high total cholesterol/HDL ratio, higher low density lipoprotein levels, and lower HDL levels compared with nonusers. It should also be noted that no clinical study has yet demonstrated a conclusive link between AAS use and fatal cardiovascular events.

Jenetic: you rock my nutz......good to have you around for the clinical data.

Doctors have been trying to make inferences regarding the correlation between AAS use and fatal cardiac events for years......still hasn't been done.

Conjecture and theory are all they have at this point. So long as you keep your lipid profile in check, BP in range, etc.; you should have no long term complications from AAS use.

I said "use", not "abuse".......that pretty much leaves out most IFBB pros...

 

[IronMind-]

Great stuff Jenetics. Later

 

[georgie24]

good stuff jenetic...lately im wondering wtf my edema is coming from (long before gear use)

 

[geoboy]

The human heart expresses the androgen receptor and is therefore a target organ for androgens. Cardiomegaly has been reported in the preclinical studies of AAS, and electron microscopy shows disintegration of intercalated discs, mitochondriolysis, myofibrillolysis, and intracellular edema when AAS is given in conjunction with physical training. A study of male athletes found significantly greater cardiovascular risk factors in AAS users than nonusers. Subjects using AAS had a high total cholesterol/HDL ratio, higher low density lipoprotein levels, and lower HDL levels compared with nonusers.

It should also be noted that no clinical study has yet demonstrated a conclusive link between AAS use and fatal cardiovascular events.

Jenetic

if I recall, the studies you cite were considered design-flawed because they didn't include a training-but-no-AAS control group. neccessary for a complete understanding since it is known that weight training alone has some of the cardiomegaly effects observed in the AAS group.

as to the cholesterol related effects, unfortunately there's no getting around that. its gospel, and probably the long-term damage we do CV-wise far outweighs any transient concerns everyone obsesses on re liver values, MPB, gyno, etc.

 

[Jenetic]

good stuff jenetic...lately im wondering wtf my edema is coming from (long before gear use)

I wouldn't worry about it unless it is causing health complications.

The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels. These spaces are known as interstitial spaces or compartments. Most of the body's fluids that are found outside of the cells are normally stored in two spaces which are the blood vessels and the interstitial spaces.

More than likely, your issue related to sodium intake unless you have some preehxisting systemic disease. The body's balance of salt is usually well regulated. A normal person can consume small or large quantities of salt in the diet without concern for developing salt depletion or retention. The intake of salt is determined by dietary patterns and the removal of salt from the body is accomplished by the kidneys. The kidneys have a great capacity to control the amount of salt in the body by changing the amount of salt excreted in the urine. The amount of salt excreted by the kidneys is regulated by hormonal and physical factors that signal whether retention or removal of salt by the kidneys is necessary.

Jenetic

 

[georgie24]

nice posts bro!