Long-term administration of steroids may result in improper function of the left ventricle

Prolonged intake of anabolic steroids can result in various heart dysfunctions. It increases risks related to heart failure. These statements have been noted in a study that has been presented in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids act like the hormone testosterone which occurs naturally and which is responsible for development of male sex features.
The leader of the study Aaron L. Baggish claims that in addition to the fact that anabolic steroids are illicit, they are linked with negative results for health. He notes that it is the first time, when negative effect of prolonged administration of steroids on heart is clearly recognized.
The study demonstrated that the left ventricle in steroid users was significantly weaker during contraction than in those who didn’t administer steroids.
A left ventricle which acts correctly pumps out 55-70 % of the blood that fills the heart.
 12 steroid users were enrolled in the study. It was manifested that the left ventricles of 83 % these steroid users worked inappropriately: they pumped out less than 55 % of the blood.   Among the examined non-users only one person experienced troubles related to the function of the left ventricle.
The study manifested that ventricle relaxation among consumers of steroids was lowered by circa half. It was 0, 93 among steroids users; 1, 80 – among non-users. The structure of the left ventricle was the same in both groups: consumers of steroids and non-users.
It was applied the method “Doppler echocardiography” for examination 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 twelve weightlifters at the age of about 40 that confirmed that they used approximately 675 mg of steroids a week for 9 years. The other group included weightlifters who didn’t apply steroids. Both groups had the same physical activity and similar risks linked with heart disorders. But they had differences in body mass and muscle size. The steroid users had more muscular physiques.
However small number of steroid users has been included in the study, the results have displayed that there is a close link between usage of steroids and heart impairment.
The experts decided to conduct further researches in order to support the results of this research.
Baggish and his co-investigators suggest that people will comprehend that application of steroids may lead to heart troubles and different unexplained heart dysfunctions in young people.