Recent research published in The Journal of Physiology by scientists from the University of Birmingham and German collaborators has revealed a concerning link between the use of anabolic steroids and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition.
This discovery is particularly important for young men who use anabolic steroids to build muscle, often influenced by social media platforms like TikTok. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone and are commonly used in bodybuilding.
However, this study, led by Dr. Laura Sommerfeld of UKE Hamburg, highlights the serious heart health risks associated with their misuse, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition to heart diseases.
The research focuses on arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a heart condition that affects the formation of cell connections necessary for heart muscle stability.
ARVC is more common and severe in men, and this study suggests that anabolic steroids can worsen this condition, leading to atrial fibrillation, a disorder that affects the heart’s rhythm.
The researchers found that just six weeks of anabolic steroid use could impair cell connections and reduce sodium channel function in heart tissue.
This results in slower signal conduction within the atria, increasing the risk of electrical problems in the heart, particularly in young men with certain genetic predispositions.
Professor Larissa Fabritz emphasized the serious implications of elevated testosterone levels on heart muscle diseases like ARVC, which can lead to life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.
This research highlights the specific risks associated with anabolic steroid misuse, risks that many people might not be aware of.
The study underscores the importance of understanding the impact of anabolic steroids on heart health, especially in young, athletic individuals.
With the growing trend of steroid use for muscle building, encouraged by social media, this research serves as a crucial warning about the potential heart-related consequences.
For those concerned about heart disease, other studies have shown that herbal supplements can harm your heart rhythm, while eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
Additional research suggests that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and yogurt may help lower the death risks associated with heart disease.
The findings from this research are available in The Journal of Physiology.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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