CARDIAC CONSEQUENCES OF ANABOLIC STEROID USE: LITERATURE REVIEW

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15952325280515

• Palavras-chave: Anabolic steroids; Steroids; Cardiotoxicity; Ventricular hypertrophy; Arrhythmias

• Keywords: Anabolic steroids; Steroids; Cardiotoxicity; Ventricular hypertrophy; Arrhythmias

• Abstract:

  The popularity of anabolic steroids is growing worldwide, as is the desire for peak physical performance. However, their side effects on the heart have not been discussed, and the general population has been overdosing beyond their physiological capacity, which has a major impact on cardiovascular health. The main objective of this study was to critically analyze the current literature that relates the use of steroids and anabolic steroids to cardiovascular alterations, seeking to understand their effects and impacts. This is a narrative bibliographical study, in which articles from the last 10 years that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed, available in full and following the steps for screening the results, such as complete reading and selection of articles that were pertinent and corresponded to the objectives of the study. Analysis of the materials showed that prolonged and sometimes abusive use of steroids is associated with serious cardiovascular alterations, which can compromise the functioning of the heart, generating cardiac hypertrophy, lipid alterations that favor thromboembolic events, myocardial fibrosis, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, as well as lethal arrhythmias. Prolonged use of steroids and anabolic steroids is strongly linked to structural heart disease, often irreversible, which can result in sudden death. The findings reinforce the need to raise awareness about the risks of these compounds and the importance of clinical guidelines for case management and prevention.