Anabolic Steroids Linked to Dangerous Heart Rhythm Problems

A new study published in The Journal of Physiology reports that short‑term use of anabolic steroids can worsen the inherited heart disorder arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and trigger atrial fibrillation, a serious irregular heart rhythm that raises the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure. The research was led by Dr. Laura Sommerfeld at the University Medical Center Hamburg and involved scientists from the University of Birmingham and Germany.

Medical experts note that beyond this specific finding, anabolic steroids are associated with a range of cardiovascular harms, including altered cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure, plaque formation, heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Long‑term abuse can also damage the liver and kidneys, suppress natural testosterone production, and cause mental health issues such as aggression, depression and dependence.