Steroid use was linked to heart-structure differences in male athletes
A meta-analysis found lower ejection fraction and thicker heart walls among resistance-trained steroid users than among athletes who did not use them.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Anabolic-androgenic steroid use was associated with differences in heart structure and function among male resistance-trained athletes. Users had thicker heart walls, greater left-ventricular mass and lower ejection fraction than non-users. These findings concern ultrasound measurements. They do not show that steroid use caused the differences or quantify the likelihood of a future cardiac event.
The abstract does not report exposure duration, follow-up or adjustment for other differences between groups. Associations observed in men limit broader conclusions.
What researchers found
Greater septal wall thickness
Steroid users versus resistance-trained non-users: mean difference, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.69 mm. Exposure and assessment durations were not reported.
What was measured
Researchers pooled echocardiography measurements of heart structure and function. Steroid users had thicker septal and posterior walls, greater left-ventricular mass and a larger end-diastolic diameter compared with athletes who did not use steroids.
How far this reaches
The central comparison involved athletes who used steroids and athletes who did not, although sedentary controls were also included. The abstract reports cardiac measurements rather than observed heart attacks, heart failure or survival.
The original publication
Anabolic-androgenic steroids on cardiac structure and function in resistance-trained athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cavalcante DN, Romariz L, Neto A et al.
Int J Cardiol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 40945618
- Record checked
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