Steroid and HEART

[Decakur]

How much will steroids effect the heart?
Can you get problems or something..?
Can it grow?

Just curious.. Dont want to get any heart problems when im gonna start in a year or 2

[Attack]

putting on a alot of mass off steriods will increase the size of your heart 3x
so its bound to affect it in some way or form,

[Decakur]

putting on a alot of mass off steriods will increase the size of your heart 3x
so its bound to affect it in some way or form,

I mean cycles like 250mg Testo E5D

And EQ cycle with dbol etc..

Can my heart be affected?

[Pale Horse]

Anyone can be affected. It it likely, no. Possible, yes.

[***xxx***]

oh, sure it is likely! bodybuilding alone is a sport that increases the heart more than any other sport. if u use steroids the chances of getting a growing heart r even bigger. it all depends on your body. nobody can predict for 100%

[Honda954Stunter]

yea im on aas and i have heart problems my valvue leaks but im fine actually i feel a lot better now that im on. im running test 400 doing half a cc twice a week and stacking with deca lil more than half cc twice a week. ibut just get checked and monitor your blood pressure and all.

[TheChosenOne]

putting on a alot of mass off steriods will increase the size of your heart 3x
so its bound to affect it in some way or form,

WHere in the f*ck did this come from? YOu pulling numbers out of a hat? The number would vary person to person and be dependant on a number of factors. Dont throw around uneducated comments on this board that deals with peoples overall health.

[Anhydro78]

Here is a article with real studys done with steroid users.


Testosterone and Your Ticker
The Positive Effects of Testosterone on the Heart
by Doug Kalman MS, RD


Steroids will cause your kidneys to implode, your heart to blow a ventricle, and your liver to squirt out of your arse, fly across the room, and knock the cat off the futon. We read it on the Internet and saw an after school special about it, so it must be true, right?

Actually, the more you learn about steroids, the more you come to realize that, like all drugs, there's a difference between their intelligent use and outright abuse. In this article, Doug Kalman takes a look at the effects of Testosterone on the heart. What he found may surprise you.


Over the years we've all heard the repeated mantra that anabolic steroids are bad for the heart. Some physicians will tell you that gear raises your risk of heart disease by lowering your good cholesterol (HDL) and raising your bad cholesterol (LDL). In fact, as some docs will tell you, steroids are known to even induce cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart). And since you can't flex your heart in an effort to woo women, who'd want that?

But, as in every story, there's more than one side. In fact, let it be said, the dangers of steroids are overstated and, hold onto your seats, may even be good for the heart. Let's examine some of the scientific studies on the positive effects of Testosterone on the heart.


What are the cardiovascular effects of steroids ?

Cardiologists at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia recruited both juicing and non-juicing bodybuilders for a study. Each bodybuilder had various aspects of the heart measured (carotid intima-media thickness, arterial reactivity, left ventricular dimensions, etc.). These measurements indicate whether bodybuilding, steroid usage or both affect the function, size, shape and activity of the heart.

The doctors found some obvious and not so obvious results. Predictably, those bodybuilders who used steroids were physically stronger than those who didn't. What was surprising was that the use of steroids was not found to cause any significant changes or abnormalities of arterial structure or function.

In essence, when the bodybuilders (both groups) were compared with sedentary controls, any changes in heart function were common to bodybuilders. The take home message from this study is that bodybuilding itself can alter (not impair) arterial structure/function and that steroids do not appear to impair cardiac function. (1)


Does MRFIT need a T boost?

A famous cardiac study was published about 10 years ago. It soon became on ongoing study known as the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). The present study examined changes in Testosterone over 13 years in 66 men aged 41 to 61 years. The researchers determined if changes in total Testosterone are related to cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The average Testosterone levels at the beginning of the study were 751 ng/dl and decreased by 41 ng/dl. Men who smoked or exhibited Type A behavior were found to have even greater decreases in T levels. The change in Testosterone was also associated with an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in the good cholesterol (HDL).

The authors concluded that decreases in Testosterone levels as observed in men over time are associated with unfavorable heart disease risk. (2) Sounds to me like a good reason to get T support/replacement therapy in the middle age years!

In a similar study, researchers in Poland examined if Testosterone replacement therapy in aging men positively effected heart disease risk factors. Twenty-two men with low T levels received 200 mg of Testosterone enanthate every other week for one year. Throughout treatment, Testosterone, estradiol, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured.

The researchers determined that T replacement returned both Testosterone and estradiol levels back to normal and acceptable levels. They also found that T replacement lowered cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol) without altering HDL (the good cholesterol). Furthermore, there was no change in prostate function or size.

The take home message from this study is that T replacement doesn't appear to raise heart disease risk and it may actually lower your risk. (3) It appears that more physicians should be prescribing low dose Testosterone to middle age and aging men for both libido, muscle tone and for cardiac reasons.


What about younger men?

It's been long established that men have a higher risk of heart disease. One of the risk factors implicated is Testosterone. Reportedly, the recreational use of Testosterone can alter lipoprotein levels and, in fact, case reports exist describing bodybuilders who've abused steroids and have experienced heart disease or even sudden death. But the question remains, is the causal association one of truth or just an association?

To answer this, researchers at the University of North Texas recruited twelve competitive bodybuilders for a comprehensive evaluation of the cardiovascular effects of steroids. Six heavyweight steroid-using bodybuilders were compared with six heavyweight drug-free bodybuilders.

As expected, the heavy steroid users had lower total cholesterol and HDL levels as compared to the drug-free athletes. What was unexpected was that the steroid users also had significantly lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels as compared to the non-steroid users. In addition, the juicers also had lower apolipoprotein B levels (a marker for heart disease risk). Thus, the authors concluded that androgens do not appear to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. (4) The take home message from this study is that the negative cardiac side effects of steroids are most likely overstated.

In a little more progressive study, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Boogie Down Bronx (the BDB to those in the know) examined Testosterone as a possible therapy for cardiovascular disease. (5) The researchers note that T can be given in oral, injectable, pellet and transdermal delivery forms. It's noted that injections of Testosterone (100 to 200 mg every two weeks) in men with low levels of T will decrease total cholesterol and LDL while raising the HDL.

In fact, Testosterone therapy has been found to have antianginal effects (reduces chest pain). Low levels of Testosterone are also correlated with high blood pressure, specifically high systolic pressure. The researchers determined that returning T levels back to normal and even high-normal levels have positive cardiovascular effects and should be considered as an adjunctive treatment for maintaining muscle mass when someone has congestive heart failure.


Putting it all together

Strong research demonstrates that the risks of negative cardiovascular effects of steroids are overstated. In fact, a recent paper published in the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology questioned the whole risk of using steroids. (6) Joey Antonio, Ph.D. and Chris Street MS, CSCS published strong data showing that the risks of steroid use are largely exaggerated, much like scare tactics used by your parents while you were a kid. Of course, it goes unsaid that abuse of anything will lead to unwanted consequences.

We know that as we age, circulating Testosterone levels naturally decrease. For most people the Testosterone decrease goes from high-normal to mid to low normal. Data shows that there's an inverse relationship between T levels and blood pressure as well as abdominal obesity (that paunch we see on so many middle age males).

Testosterone replacement lowers abdominal obesity and restores Testosterone back to normal levels. Restored Testosterone is correlated with better mood, better muscle tone, stronger sex drive, lower cardiovascular disease risks, stronger bones and better memory. It's important to note that while conservative use gives a pronounced positive health benefit, higher doses may not necessarily lead to further health benefits.


What to do

If you see your body composition changing (your gut starts looking like your Uncle Lester's), your strength or muscle tone diminishing despite your hard training and good diet, and your sex drive not matching up to TC's columns, have your Testosterone levels checked. The acceptable normal range for Testosterone to physicians is 300 mg/dl to 1100 mg/dl. Yes, that's a pretty wide range.

In the clinic, we see people with the complaints consistent with "andropause " (a term for male menopause) and/or increased cardiovascular risk having Testosterone levels between 300 mg/dl and 550 mg/dl. Bringing it up to the mid to high-normal level is what gives the health and "youthful" benefits. Traditionally 200 mg/dl of supplemental Testosterone given every one to two weeks improves body composition, lowers total cholesterol and LDL, while raising HDL.

It appears that supplemental T is a healthier and safer way to go than many of the drugs used to treat poor lipid profiles. The data presented in this article applies for males over 35, not those who are 18. If you think that you can benefit from Testosterone therapy look for physicians who market themselves as "anti-aging" or "longevity physicians" as well as the more progressive endocrinologists or cardiologists.

Long story short, used intelligently, Testosterone is good medicine!


About the author: Douglas S. Kalman MS, RD is a Director for Miami Research Associates (MiamiResearch.com) a leading pharmaceutical and nutrition research organization in Miami, Florida. Doug is also a national spokesperson for the American College of Sports Medicine and according to his latest test has high T levels. Doug can be reached at [email protected].


References:

1) Sader MA, Griffiths KA, McCredie RJ, et al. Androgenic anabolic steroids and arterial structure and function in male bodybuilders. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;37(1):224-230.

2) Zmuda JM, Cauley JA, Kriska A, et al. Longitudinal relation between endogenous testosterone and cardiovascular disease risk factors in middle aged men. A 13 year follow-up of former Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial participants. Am J Epidemiol 1997;146(8):609-617.

3) Zgliczynski S, Ossowski M, Slowinska-Srednicka J, et al. Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal and elderly men. Atherosclerosis 1996;121(1):35-43.

4) Diekerman RD, McConathy WJ, Zachariah NY. Testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, lipoproteins and vascular disease risk. J Cardiovasc Risk 1997;4(5-6):363-366.

5) Shapiro J, Christiana J, Frishman WH. Testosterone and other anabolic steroids as cardiovascular drugs. Am J Ther 1999;6(3):167-174.

6) Antonio J, Street C. Androgen use by athletes: A reevaluation of the health risks. Can J Appl Physiol 1996;21(6):421-440.

[GymDog]

I read somewhere else that a study was conducted, where they had a group that ran juice for 15 weeks. The entire dimensions of their hearts (ventricle diameter, overall size, etc.) The study concluded that if steroids are run for 15 weeks or less, the heart WILL NOT change in size any more different than you would have with lifting weights and no juice...

[spound]

yea im on aas and i have heart problems my valvue leaks but im fine actually i feel a lot better now that im on. im running test 400 doing half a cc twice a week and stacking with deca lil more than half cc twice a week. ibut just get checked and monitor your blood pressure and all.

That does not sound good

[Honda954Stunter]

That does not sound good

i use to have chest pains and all no i feel 20 times better no pains have all my breathe i feel 150% great

[Attack]

WHere in the f*ck did this come from? YOu pulling numbers out of a hat? The number would vary person to person and be dependant on a number of factors. Dont throw around uneducated comments on this board that deals with peoples overall health.

Can you explain to me,

how can a average size heart pump your blood round your body if you were to put a some serious Mass ?

Of corse your heart grows all your muscles grow and corispond with each other, if it didnt that would stop your growth cause your heart wouldent be able to pump the blood you need to feul your muscles.

i am talking about ppl that use to the max and grow really big, 15 weeks is not going to get you like ronnie coleman is it so thats another thing!

so that means a guy of that size has the same size heart as he had when he first started somehow i wouldent think so lol

[TheChosenOne]

Can you explain to me 1 thing,

how can a average size heart pump your blood round your body if you were to put a extra few stone on?

Of corse your heart grows all your muscles grow and corispond with each other, if it didnt you wouldent be able to train due to passing out
(lack of curcluation)

i am talking about ppl that use to the max and grow really big, so dose that mean these guys have the same size heart as what there first started out with,

not wat ive herd

You still have yet to support the number 3 you threw out. If every muscle grows corresponding to the rest of your body does that mean I can expect my tongue, my facial muscles, etc will grow as well? Anerobic exercise causes your left ventricle wall to thicken if that is what you are elluding to. Just because you have increased your muscle mass does not mean you have increased the amount of blood circulating threw your system. A 150lb man has roughly 5L of blood in his system just as a 220lb man does.

[Attack]

sorry but i was on about real size gains,
and no, there will not grow as there dont need to.
SY

[Anhydro78]

Did none of you take the time to read the article I posted??Or have never seen it before?? In the article it sites 6 different studys where they test steroid users against natural body builders. And Measured all the different valves and such with an Untra sound. they did one study on cholesteral and bodybuilders. And the conclusion was pretty much all the negative side effect attributed to steroid use is consistant with non-steroid users alike. Its the Bodybuilding life style training methods and diets that cause these problems.

I have a few more studys saved to my Hard drive if you guys want to see them. Some of them that are negative about steroids perform studys without control groups. Which to me are useless. I even have a National Heath Institute propaganda article.

Im not saying steroids have no negative side effects.

[Sharky72]

Hey Bro, Stick with low to moderate doses and your chances will obviosly be lower. I'm fininshing a 16week cycle of 250mg cyp and have awsome gains,very little sides and my Doc says I'm am a stallion.. Good enough for me!
The Shark

BTW If your going to cycle long I strongly suggest using HCG at the end.
Check out; Swales HCG report "do a search, you'll find it"
Just my 2 cents and good luck! The Shark

[Sharky72]

Anhydro 78, great post Bro!

[Bouncer1982]

Anhydro78, Awesome Post Bro!

I to as a young Kid had something called Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome (in other words irregular heart beat) and it required surgery through the groin (belive it or not)
to get to my heart and what they did was use a laser to scar the inner wall of the heart to make the beat regular again, It was also done at The Royal Prince Alfred hospital. They told me it was as dangerous as getting my tonsils out

[***xxx***]

You still have yet to support the number 3 you threw out. If every muscle grows corresponding to the rest of your body does that mean I can expect my tongue, my facial muscles, etc will grow as well? Anerobic exercise causes your left ventricle wall to thicken if that is what you are elluding to. Just because you have increased your muscle mass does not mean you have increased the amount of blood circulating threw your system. A 150lb man has roughly 5L of blood in his system just as a 220lb man does.

no but u increase the red cells amount in your blood, making it harder for the heart to pump.

muscles are divided into 3 sorts (dunno if I can explain it in english, but I ll try to):

there are different kinds of musculature. One differentiates between:
the automatic (= smooth) musculature
the arbitrary (= crosswise touched) musculature
the heart muscle (special of crosswise touched musculature)

if u use aas it is likely that you crosswise muscles are growing (under exposure). the heart is also a crosswise muscle though special in a way. so yes, a growth of the heart possible.
the smooth muscles (e.g. digesting system) can grow by the use of GH.

[TheChosenOne]

no but u increase the red cells amount in your blood, making it harder for the heart to pump.

Thats why I recommend donating blood as often as possible (every 6months) to lower RBC and relieve kidneys and liver of toxin filtration for a short time.

[Pale Horse]

I think the intial post was meant to include unusual enlargement of the heart. Like GH and its' affects on body organs.

[FRANK WHITE]

Very informative post Anhydro. Thanks Bro.

[TheChosenOne]

I think the intial post was meant to include unusual enlargement of the heart. Like GH and its' affects on body organs.

Thats a good point I had not thought of GH enlarging the heart like it does other select tissues and I wonder what the information available is on whether or not that is indeed a side effect or not. You would think there should be some good info available on the matter since it is a medically prescribed drug.