Dysfunctions of the left ventricle caused by steroid use

Prolonged intake of anabolic steroids can result in different heart disorders. It enhances dangers linked with heart failure. These statements have been noted in a study which has been presented in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids act like testosterone which occurs naturally and that is responsible for development of male sex characteristics.
The leader of the research Aaron L. Baggish states that in addition to the factor that anabolic steroids are illegal, they are associated with unwanted effects for health. He notices that it is the first time, when negative influence of prolonged usage of steroids on heart is clearly realized.
The study manifested that the left ventricle in steroid users was essentially weaker during contraction than in those that didn’t administer steroids.
A left ventricle that works appropriately pumps out 55-70 % of the blood which fills the heart.
 12 steroid users were enrolled in the research. It was displayed 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 suffered from problems connected with the function of the left ventricle.
The research displayed that ventricle relaxation among steroid users was lowered by circa half. It was 0, 93 among steroids users; 1, 80 – among non-steroid users. The structure of the left ventricle was similar in both groups: steroid users and non-users.
It was used the test “Doppler echocardiography” for evaluation of function and structure of the left ventricle. This technique uses ultrasound for creation of moving pictures of the heart and its blood flow.
 The group of steroid users included 12 weightlifters at the age of about 40 that noted that they used about 675 mg of steroids a week for 9 years. The other group included weightlifters that didn’t use steroids. Both groups had the same physical activity and similar risks connected with heart troubles. But they had differences in body weight and muscle size. The users of steroids had more muscular physiques.
Although small number of steroid users has been included in the study, the results have displayed that there is a strong link between intake of steroids and heart impairment.
The scientists decided to conduct further studies in order to support the findings.
Baggish and his colleagues suppose that people will realize that intake of steroids can lead to heart problems and different unexplained heart disorders in young persons.