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Updated: May 16, 2026
07:31
A Model of Cardiac Remodeling Through Constriction of the Abdominal Aorta in Rats
Published on: December 2, 2016
Androgen abuse and increased cardiac risk
John P Higgins1, Alireza Heshmat, Christopher L Higgins
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77026, USA. John.P.Higgins@uth.tmc.edu
Southern Medical Journal
|December 6, 2012
Summary
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) can harm the cardiovascular system through direct effects like cardiac hypertrophy and indirect effects such as hypertension. Long-term AAS use may cause significant cardiovascular changes, with safety concerns remaining.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endocrinology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone.
- Their use is prevalent in athletic and bodybuilding communities for performance enhancement.
- Concerns exist regarding the adverse effects of AAS on various organ systems, particularly the cardiovascular system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the direct and indirect effects of anabolic androgenic steroids on the cardiovascular system.
- To summarize existing scientific evidence on the cardiovascular impact of AAS use.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted.
- Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, and Google.
- The search covered English-language scientific literature from 1976 to March 2012.
Main Results:
- AAS are linked to direct cardiovascular effects, including cardiac muscle hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis.
- Indirect effects associated with AAS use encompass dyslipidemia, hypertension, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction.
- Chronic exposure to AAS can lead to substantial cardiovascular alterations.
Conclusions:
- Anabolic androgenic steroids pose significant risks to cardiovascular health.
- The long-term safety of AAS use is not fully established.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand and mitigate the cardiovascular consequences of AAS.
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