Now research, part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and being presented on 6th June at this year’s British Cardiovascular Society conference, has shown that for some people misusing steroids can be particularly dangerous. A team of researchers from the University of Birmingham have found evidence to suggest that, when taken by people with the inherited heart condition arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), steroids could lead to changes in heart muscle structure and problems with the heart’s electrical signals. These changes would then increase the likelihood that people taking steroids would suffer from atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm disorder which is itself a major cause of stroke.
ARVC is caused by a mutation in one or more genes responsible for producing the proteins that hold the heart muscle together. The researchers gave dihydrotestosterone, an anabolic steroid commonly used to enhance athletic performance, to mice with a deficiency in one of these same proteins.
They found that, in these hearts, the electrical signal that tells when the heart to beat travelled around the heart more slowly than usual. This slowing down of electrical activity put these hearts at greater risk of dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.
It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK have used anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes in their lifetime (1). Anabolic steroids are prescription-only medicines that are sometimes taken without medical advice to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. If used in this way, they can cause serious side effects and addiction.
Larissa Fabritz, senior author and reader in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Birmingham, said:
“With one in every five men joining a gym in the UK using performance enhancing anabolic steroids the misuse of steroids is fast becoming an emerging global health problem. Our results show that the misuse of steroids could explain why seemingly healthy individuals are suffering from serious heart problems.”
Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This study reinforces the evidence that using anabolic steroids can have untoward and possibly dangerous side effects, particularly in those who (often unknowingly) have heart problems.”
Find out more about the British Cardiovascular Society Conference at bcs.com/conference.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Abstracts available here: http://www.bcs.com/abstracts3/admin/heart_view.asp?projectID=36(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/119132/anabolic-steroids.pdf
About the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS)BCS is the voice for those working in cardiovascular health, science and disease management in the UK; we aim to promote and support both the healthcare professionals who work in cardiology and the patients for whom we want to encourage the best possible treatment. Our members are healthcare professionals, working in the field of cardiovascular health.Find out more at bcs.com
British Heart FoundationCoronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer. For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives. Find out more at bhf.org.uk
Meeting Link: British Cardiovascular Society Conference 2016
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