Use of anabolic steroids can raise heart disease risk: Study

People who use anabolic steroids, that mimic testosterone’s effects in the human body, may increase underlying risk of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, a new study has found. The new research, published in the Journal of Physiology, found that male sex hormones, such as testosterone, also called androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS), are misused for muscle building particularly among young men. This can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in individuals genetically predisposed to heart diseases. “Our study can significantly contribute to understanding the impact on the heart health of young men who misuse anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass,” said lead author Dr Laura Sommerfeld, postdoctoral researcher from the University of Birmingham, UK.