Years of AAS & Cardiologist

[Kaytime]

Hey guys, I was curious to know what tests i should ask my cardiologist to make sure my heart is healthy.

I have run AAS for just under 10 years 5 of those mainly Blast and cruising and i have had some scares in my time but i have had an EKG done aswel as X-rays on my heart which came back normal Last year i had an (Doont know the proper name) but like an ultrasound on my heart which they said my heart was a little bigger then normal "LVH" and they just said to add more cardio.

I have been wondering what tests i should get done as i have a booking with a top cardiologist in my state and what he should look for in the case of any AAS damage

[almostgone]

If he is aware of your AAS use, he will know what to look for. I would think he would do a stress echocardigram and an EKG. You're still relatively young so unless there are some issues, I wouldn't expect a catheterization. That's just been my experience.
The lvh may have been referencing left ventricular hypertrophy which isn't uncommon in those using AAS or that exercise a great deal.
Again, your cardiologist should be very qualified in this area and know which tests to perform. Hope it goes well for you.

[Kaytime]

If he is aware of your AAS use, he will know what to look for. I would think he would do a stress echocardigram and an EKG. You're still relatively young so unless there are some issues, I wouldn't expect a catheterization. That's just been my experience.
The lvh may have been referencing left ventricular hypertrophy which isn't uncommon in those using AAS or that exercise a great deal.
Again, your cardiologist should be very qualified in this area and know which tests to perform. Hope it goes well for you.

Thanks for the reply, He is aware of my AAS Use, Also with Left ventriculat Hypertrophy, How can i keep that from developing further? i have had high blood pressure but since off it stays roughly around 122 in the mornings but usually around 130 range. My dr tells me thats not bad for a big bloke but i prefer to hear cardiologist tell me im good so my anxiety issues can be at ease

[almostgone]

Keeping your BP in range and performing cardio will do a lot for your coronary and vascular health. Also, some people have lvh and it never causes any issues. Just stay calm and be truthful with your cardiologist since he is aware of your AAS use.
Google the term "athletic heart" and read some of the scholarly articles. Here's a link to get you started.
Circulation

[Kaytime]

Keeping your BP in range and performing cardio will do a lot for your coronary and vascular health. Also, some people have lvh and it never causes any issues. Just stay calm and be truthful with your cardiologist since he is aware of your AAS use.
Google the term "athletic heart" and read some of the scholarly articles. Here's a link to get you started.
Circulation

Again thank you so much. When i decide to go back on AAS whats a good way to keep BP down besides cardio and sodium intake. I have letro and aromasin but i never really used them (STUPID) but now i think i will

[almostgone]

Keeping your E2 in check would help. Some people find l-arginine to be somewhat helpful. There are studies that show tadalafil/Cialis can be useful although the studies addressed pulmonary hypertension I believe.

Tadalafil for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a d... - PubMed - NCBI

Again, since your cardiologist knows of your AAS use, be up front with him/her, especially if you plan on cycling again.

[Iron Mind]

LVH is something you could/will get get even when you don't use AAS. It's totally not uncommon for healthy young guys who train quite a lot to develop LVH to some degree. Especially endurance athletes are known to have the most LVH, excentric (volume overload). Compared to strength athletes who can develop concentric LVH (pressure overload). LVH from training is known as "sport heart".

To check your degree of LVH, you could get an echo of your heart done to check how thick your left ventricle wall of your heart is. When it's above x mm (something like 13mm, not sure though), you could have a higher chance of heart problems. But if you had that performed last year and they said it's only slightly bigger than normal even after 10 years of AAS use.

You should be safe when you look to your heart health, it and have your heart checked again next year with the echo, together with your blood work stuff etc. Especially keeping your blood pressure in rest, under control will definetely help minimizing your concentrisch LVH from developing even further. Diet and keeping estrogen in normal ranges will sure help with this. Also performing some cardio to some degree helps with BP etc. 120/130 systolic pressure for a big bloke is very nice indeed. Well done. How's your diastolic pressure?


Hopes this helps you.

[Kaytime]

Hey guys, I been at the cardiologist for a few hours and they run alot of tests and the results are in

He said everything is normal and heart is healthy, He also said that my heart is larger then a normal person but for my size and height it is in the normal range, He also said that to keep training and not change anything and in 6 months time he will do the same tests again to see if their is any changes but overall im happy with the results..

[almostgone]

Sounds like you're heart is in good shape. Cycle wisely and keep it that way.

[almostgone]

Again thank you so much. When i decide to go back on AAS whats a good way to keep BP down besides cardio and sodium intake. I have letro and aromasin but i never really used them (STUPID) but now i think i will

Now would be a good time to read up on E2 management.

Estrogen, Prolactin, Progesterone Management + Gynecomastia Prevention & Reversal

Again, congrats on the good report from your cardiologist!

[lovbyts]

I had a Exercise Stress Test Echocardiogram about a year ago. I think it's one of the best ways to have your heart checked out because they do the ultrasound before you do the stress test (treadmill) and immediately after.

Determine how well your heart tolerates activity
Evaluate the function of your heart and valves
Determine your likelihood of having coronary artery disease

Before you start exercising, the sonographer will perform a resting EKG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.

The sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table so he or she can perform a resting echocardiogram (also called an “echo”). An echocardiogram is a graphic outline of the heart’s movement created from ultrasound vibrations echoed from the heart’s structures. The sonographer will place a wand (called a transducer) on your chest to view an outline of the heart’s movement.

After the echo test, you will exercise on a treadmill or stationary cycle. The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and will gradually increase the intensity of exercise. You will be asked to continue exercising until you are exhausted.

At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. Please tell them if you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort; short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or if you have any other unusual symptoms.

The lab personnel will watch for any changes on the EKG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.

When you cannot exercise any longer or you have reached the required heart rate, you will get off the treadmill,* quickly return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram.

[fightnews]

So do you have an enlarged heart or not? I guess they have no way to know if it was smaller before, whats your resting heart rate, ever use hgh?

[Kaytime]

I do have an enlarged heart but like i said they claim its in the normal range based on height and weight, thanks for the support. I still have to find out my reason of excessive yawning which sometimes i cant catch but dr assures me it has nothing to do with my heart but more psychological

[NACH3]

I had a Exercise Stress Test Echocardiogram about a year ago. I think it's one of the best ways to have your heart checked out because they do the ultrasound before you do the stress test (treadmill) and immediately after.

Determine how well your heart tolerates activity
Evaluate the function of your heart and valves
Determine your likelihood of having coronary artery disease

Before you start exercising, the sonographer will perform a resting EKG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.

The sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table so he or she can perform a resting echocardiogram (also called an “echo”). An echocardiogram is a graphic outline of the heart’s movement created from ultrasound vibrations echoed from the heart’s structures. The sonographer will place a wand (called a transducer) on your chest to view an outline of the heart’s movement.

After the echo test, you will exercise on a treadmill or stationary cycle. The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and will gradually increase the intensity of exercise. You will be asked to continue exercising until you are exhausted.

At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. Please tell them if you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort; short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or if you have any other unusual symptoms.

The lab personnel will watch for any changes on the EKG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.

When you cannot exercise any longer or you have reached the required heart rate, you will get off the treadmill,* quickly return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram.

Nice read thx... As you mentioned jaw pain... It got me thinking about how I clench my teeth/jaw both on and off cycle... But moreso on(more often).

I know AAS can effect bone structure(certain compounds), jaw problems etc etc!

I've never really thought about just thought I had TMJ or something... Is this something to get looked at or is the jaw pain your talking about in the test differ from this? I do a lot of HIIT and suppersetting keeping HR(high) up during w/o!

I'll bring it up when I see my PCP next time I see her... More outta curiosity now...

[fightnews]

I do have an enlarged heart but like i said they claim its in the normal range based on height and weight, thanks for the support. I still have to find out my reason of excessive yawning which sometimes i cant catch but dr assures me it has nothing to do with my heart but more psychological

Holy shit I have the same thing, Do you ever Just keep trying to yawn and you can't?