There is a direct connection between steroid use and heart problems

Prolonged administration of anabolic steroids can result in various heart dysfunctions. It increases risks linked with heart failure. These statements have been noted in a study which has been presented in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids work like testosterone that occurs naturally and that is responsible for development of male sex characteristics.
The leader of the study Aaron L. Baggish states that in addition to the fact that anabolic steroids are illegal, they are linked with unwanted results for health. He notes that it is the first time, when negative effect of long-term usage of steroids on heart is clearly recognized.
The study displayed that the left ventricle in consumers of steroids was substantially weaker during contraction than in those who didn’t apply steroids.
A left ventricle which works appropriately pumps out 55-70 % of the blood that fills the heart.
 12 consumers of steroids were implicated in the research. It was displayed 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 just one person had problems linked with the function of the left ventricle.
The study manifested that ventricle relaxation among steroid users was reduced by circa half. It was 0, 93 among consumers of steroids; 1, 80 – among non-steroid users. The structure of the left ventricle was similar in both groups: users of steroids and non-users.
It was used the method “Doppler echocardiography” for evaluation of function and structure of the left ventricle. This test 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 said that they took approximately 675 mg of steroids weekly for 9 years. Another group included weightlifters who didn’t administer steroids. Both groups had similar physical activity and the same risks connected with heart disorders. But they had differences in body weight and muscle size. The users of steroids had more muscular physiques.
However small number of steroid users has been evaluated, the results have shown that there is a close connection between administration of steroids and heart impairment.
The experts decided to conduct further studies in order to support the findings.
Baggish and his co-investigators hope that people will comprehend that application of steroids can cause heart troubles and different unexplained heart dysfunctions in young people.