Images depicting aftermath of steroid usage among athletes
A new study published in JAMA Network Open has shed light on the potential risks associated with the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) among recreational athletes. Led by Dr. Jan Frystyk from Odense University Hospital in Denmark, the research team found evidence of adverse cardiovascular effects in athletes who use AAS.
The study, which included 164 participants, found that athletes who had used AAS for more than five years had a greater odds of having a positive Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score. This is a marker for the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart disease.
Echocardiograms, used to assess cardiovascular health, showed significant links between cumulative AAS use and worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain, a measure of heart function. Furthermore, athletes with more than five years of cumulative AAS use had ventricular mass greater than the median of the normal range, indicating enlarged hearts.
The study also found a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of coronary noncalcified plaques (NCPs) between active AAS users and nonusers. NCPs are early signs of plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Interestingly, the study did not find group differences when comparing the number of participants with femoral or carotid artery plaques or CAC scores. However, athletes with AAS exposure exceeding five years showed more severe calcifications, indicating a greater severity of atherosclerosis.
Both male and female athletes who use AAS have a higher lifetime risk of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial dysfunction. The study, however, did not find clear evidence tying AAS use to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, especially in women.
The study included 80 active AAS users (median age, 35), of which 61 were men and 19 were women. The remaining 58 participants did not use AAS. The median cumulative lifetime AAS use was 2.2 years for active users and 2.2 years for previous users.
The use of AAS is common among recreational athletes, and the study findings suggest the need for measures to prevent AAS use in recreational sports. The athletes in the study played at the recreational level, according to the authors.
Despite the findings, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of AAS use on cardiovascular health. However, the study serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with the use of these performance-enhancing drugs.
