New research published in The Journal of Physiology has found a worrying link between the use of anabolic steroids and a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a serious heart condition. The study was carried out by scientists from the University of Birmingham working together with researchers in Germany.
Their findings highlight the dangers of using anabolic steroids, especially among young men who often use them to build muscle, sometimes influenced by social media sites like TikTok.
Anabolic steroids are man-made versions of the hormone testosterone. They are popular in bodybuilding because they can help increase muscle mass quickly.
However, the new study, led by Dr. Laura Sommerfeld from UKE Hamburg, shows that using these substances can seriously harm the heart. The risks are even greater for people who already have a family history of heart disease.
The researchers focused on a heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, or ARVC for short. This condition affects the way heart cells connect to each other, weakening the heart muscle over time. ARVC is more common and tends to be worse in men.
The study suggests that using anabolic steroids can make ARVC even more dangerous by triggering atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is when the heart beats in an irregular and often very fast way, which can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other serious problems.
The team found that just six weeks of using anabolic steroids was enough to damage the cell connections in heart tissue. It also reduced the function of sodium channels, which are important for carrying electrical signals across the heart.
When these signals slow down, it can cause the heart’s rhythm to become disorganized, especially in the upper chambers known as the atria. This makes atrial fibrillation more likely, particularly in young men who might already be at risk because of their genes.
Professor Larissa Fabritz, another leader of the study, explained that high levels of testosterone can make heart muscle diseases like ARVC worse and can lead to dangerous heart rhythm problems. The research shows that using anabolic steroids is not just a risk to general health but could directly cause life-threatening issues in the heart.
Many people who use steroids to build muscle may not realize the serious damage they could be doing to their hearts. This study makes it clear that more education and awareness are needed, especially as more young people are exposed to unrealistic body images and muscle-building advice on social media.
Understanding how anabolic steroids affect the heart is very important, and this research sends a strong message to anyone thinking about using them for muscle growth. It is not just about looking fit — it could be putting your heart at serious risk.
There are also other factors to consider when thinking about heart health. Other studies have shown that some herbal supplements can harm heart rhythm, while eating foods like eggs and yogurt may actually help lower heart disease risk. Drinking apple juice has also been linked to better heart health.
The full findings from this study can be found in The Journal of Physiology, where more details about the link between anabolic steroids and heart rhythm problems are explained.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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