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Scientists from the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with researchers from Germany, have found a troubling connection between anabolic steroids and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. Their study, published in The Journal of Physiology, warns that young men using steroids to build muscle may be putting their heart health in danger.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Many people, especially young men, use them to increase muscle mass.
The rise of social media platforms like TikTok has made steroid use more popular, with fitness influencers often promoting their benefits. However, this new research highlights serious risks that many users may not be aware of.
The study, led by Dr. Laura Sommerfeld from UKE Hamburg, focuses on a heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This disease affects the way heart cells connect, making the heart muscle less stable.
ARVC is more common and severe in men, and the researchers discovered that anabolic steroids can make the condition worse, leading to atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats irregularly, which can increase the risk of stroke and other serious heart problems.
The scientists found that just six weeks of steroid use can weaken heart cell connections and slow down electrical signals in the heart. This makes it more likely for heart rhythm problems to occur, especially in people with a genetic risk for heart disease.
Professor Larissa Fabritz, one of the researchers, explained that higher testosterone levels can have dangerous effects on the heart. Steroid use may trigger or worsen heart muscle diseases like ARVC, which can lead to life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.
These findings are especially important because many young people using steroids may not realize the damage they could be causing to their hearts. The study highlights the need for better awareness about the risks of anabolic steroids, particularly among athletes and bodybuilders who use them to gain muscle.
With the increasing popularity of steroids in fitness culture, this research serves as a strong warning. While these drugs may help with muscle growth, the long-term effects on heart health could be severe. Scientists hope this study will encourage more people to think twice before using steroids and to consider safer ways to improve their fitness.
For those concerned about heart health, it’s important to stay informed. Other studies suggest that some herbal supplements might also affect heart rhythm, while foods like eggs, apple juice, and yogurt may have benefits for heart health.
The full research findings are available in The Journal of Physiology.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
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