Left ventricular size and function in elite bodybuilders using anabolic steroids.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between resistance training, anabolic steroid use, and left ventricular function.

DESIGN

Sixteen competitive bodybuilders were recruited for an echocardiography study.

SETTING

University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth, TX, U.S.A.); the cardiologist and technician were blinded as to subjects' drug status.

SUBJECTS

Eight competitive heavyweight drug-free (DF) bodybuilders and eight competitive heavyweight body-builders on self-directed regimens of anabolic steroids.

RESULTS

Average body mass indexes (BMI; kg/m2) for the drug-user (DU) and DF groups were not significantly different (34.1 +/- 2.8 and 32.0 +/- 4.3, respectively). Increases in left ventricular posterior wall and ventricular septal thickness were apparent in the DU group (p < 0.05). The ratio of echocardiographic findings to BMI revealed a significantly smaller left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDEd/BMI; p < 0.05) in the DU group. The smaller LVDEd in DUs is coupled with a significantly disproportionate septal and posterior wall thickness in DUs when indexed to body mass compared to DFs. There was no direct evidence of diastolic dysfunction detected by mitral inflow velocity patterns.

CONCLUSION

Anabolic steroids may potentiate concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with decreasing ventricular compliance without affecting cardiac function.