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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
07:24
Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR
Published on: April 8, 2013
Long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid use is associated with left ventricular dysfunction
Aaron L Baggish1, Rory B Weiner, Gen Kanayama
1Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 02114, USA. abaggish@partners.org
Circulation. Heart Failure
|April 29, 2010
Summary
Long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use in weightlifters significantly impairs cardiac function, lowering ejection fraction and diastolic function. This cardiac dysfunction may increase the risk of heart failure in AAS users.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is prevalent.
- Cardiac effects of long-term AAS use are not well understood.
- Study compares cardiac parameters in AAS users and non-users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiac function in weightlifters with and without a history of AAS use.
- To assess left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, systolic strain, and diastolic function.
Main Methods:
- 2D tissue-Doppler and speckle-tracking echocardiography used.
- Compared 12 long-term AAS users with 7 AAS nonusers matched for age and training.
- Assessed LV ejection fraction, longitudinal and radial strain, and diastolic indices.
Main Results:
- AAS users showed significantly lower LV ejection fraction (50.6% vs 59.1%) and systolic strain.
- Ten of 12 AAS users had LV ejection fractions below the normal limit (>or=55%).
- AAS users exhibited impaired diastolic function, with lower early peak tissue velocity and E/A ratio.
Conclusions:
- Long-term AAS use leads to significant cardiac dysfunction.
- The observed dysfunction is more severe than previously reported.
- AAS-induced cardiac dysfunction may elevate the risk of heart failure.
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