So, i relize that having a raised BP on steroids can cause an enlarged heart. How long do you have to be on to have this happen? Also, after you are done with your cycle, does it reduce back to normal size?
BP and Steroids
- Thread starter Perfection Awaits
- Start date
GymLift
New member
People can add substantial muscle mass within just a few weeks of starting a cycle. The heart is just another muscle. So if you are on long enough to increase muscle mass more than normal, then you are on long enough to get an enlarged heart, I would think.Perfection Awaits said:
It may, to some degree. Or it may not.Perfection Awaits said:
Why isnt this a more talked abut issue? Isn't it harmful to have an enlarged heart?
StoneColdNTO
Administrator
Changes to Heart Muscle
The changes to heart muscle caused by anabolic steroids are attributed to their anabolic properties in muscle tissue. Left ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by thickening of the left ventricular wall secondary to cardiac fiber enlargement. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is normally caused by a chronic increase in systemic blood pressure. It may also be seen with sudden or rapid weight gain. The thickening of the ventricular wall due to increased after-load from elevated vascular resistance can be viewed as adaptive protection up to a point. Beyond minor wall thickening, pathological LVH is a strong predictor of serious cardiovascular risk.
It is important for physicians to realize that LVH can occur in strength athletes and bodybuilders even in the absence of anabolic steroids use. It was previously believed that the intermittent increase in blood pressure that is caused by heavy lifting was not sufficient to elicit concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (CLVH). Any evidence of CLVH in strength athletes or bodybuilders was seen as a sign of anabolic steroid use.
During heavy lifting, systemic blood pressure is increased from what is called the valsalva maneuver. It is simply the act of forceful expiration with the mouth and nose closed producing a "bearing down" on the abdomen. Most people do this during heavy lifts such as squats or deadlifts. Pressure also increases due to blood vessels being occluded by contracting muscles. It should be noted that the LVH seen in bodybuilders and power lifters is called "concentric left ventricular hypertrophy", meaning that it is the result of contracting against acute increased systemic pressure, and is not considered pathological (i.e. unhealthy). "Eccentric" LVH is caused by constant increases of blood pressure, not as a result of the valsalva maneuver but instead due to clinical hypertension that forces the ventricle to expand against resistance.
AAS further exacerbate the effects of lifting on the heart. AASs cause anabolism in heart muscle, at times increasing left ventricular wall thickness to 16mm (11mm is considered normal).4 However, LVH caused by resistance training either alone or in conjunction with Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) has yet to result in diastolic dysfunction, or in other words, there is yet no evidence that this thickening of the ventricular wall is pathologic.
Treatment options
Upon cessation of high intensity resistance exercise and obviously Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) use, ventricular wall thickness returns to within normal ranges as long as hypertension unrelated to lifting is not present. There are no treatment suggestions for LVH caused by resistance training with or without the use of AAS.
__________________
The changes to heart muscle caused by anabolic steroids are attributed to their anabolic properties in muscle tissue. Left ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by thickening of the left ventricular wall secondary to cardiac fiber enlargement. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is normally caused by a chronic increase in systemic blood pressure. It may also be seen with sudden or rapid weight gain. The thickening of the ventricular wall due to increased after-load from elevated vascular resistance can be viewed as adaptive protection up to a point. Beyond minor wall thickening, pathological LVH is a strong predictor of serious cardiovascular risk.
It is important for physicians to realize that LVH can occur in strength athletes and bodybuilders even in the absence of anabolic steroids use. It was previously believed that the intermittent increase in blood pressure that is caused by heavy lifting was not sufficient to elicit concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (CLVH). Any evidence of CLVH in strength athletes or bodybuilders was seen as a sign of anabolic steroid use.
During heavy lifting, systemic blood pressure is increased from what is called the valsalva maneuver. It is simply the act of forceful expiration with the mouth and nose closed producing a "bearing down" on the abdomen. Most people do this during heavy lifts such as squats or deadlifts. Pressure also increases due to blood vessels being occluded by contracting muscles. It should be noted that the LVH seen in bodybuilders and power lifters is called "concentric left ventricular hypertrophy", meaning that it is the result of contracting against acute increased systemic pressure, and is not considered pathological (i.e. unhealthy). "Eccentric" LVH is caused by constant increases of blood pressure, not as a result of the valsalva maneuver but instead due to clinical hypertension that forces the ventricle to expand against resistance.
AAS further exacerbate the effects of lifting on the heart. AASs cause anabolism in heart muscle, at times increasing left ventricular wall thickness to 16mm (11mm is considered normal).4 However, LVH caused by resistance training either alone or in conjunction with Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) has yet to result in diastolic dysfunction, or in other words, there is yet no evidence that this thickening of the ventricular wall is pathologic.
Treatment options
Upon cessation of high intensity resistance exercise and obviously Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) use, ventricular wall thickness returns to within normal ranges as long as hypertension unrelated to lifting is not present. There are no treatment suggestions for LVH caused by resistance training with or without the use of AAS.
__________________
stonecold comes through again, thanks
So, it is bad, but when you get off Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and HIT workouts, it should reduce back to normal. I read it twice, and i think i understood it.
StoneColdNTO
Administrator
Perfection Awaits said:
Yes it is very bad....
All I know is it's been quite a while since I've cycled, and I certainly don't train real heavy (haven't in a few yrs) and my LVH has not got better, nor is the outlook promising.
I feel this issue is way overlooked in AAS, i have hardly even read about it. How do you get it checked? Also, how many cycles did you run stonecold? And which did u find caused the problem?
StoneColdNTO
Administrator
http://209.200.9.151/forum/showthread.php?t=2000&highlight=truePerfection Awaits said:
I think you should make your thread a sticky.
dam even Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) causes high BP, unreal
Can i get ACE inhibitors and Beta Blockers at AF or ology or anywhere?
StoneColdNTO
Administrator
Perfection Awaits said:
Nope....and they're not something you want to use unless you're under a doctors care and supervision.
SteelSouth
New member
I think i've just been talked into getting a BP machine to monitor myself at home.
Hulkamaniac!
Da Pope
It should also be noted that the drugstore ones won't be accurate for jacked up individuals. They are gonna be too small and display inaccurately high readings.
on the issue of the monitoring. What numbers should you look to stay inbetween? Also, what number should it reach when a warning sign should flash, and what measure do you take at that time?
TOOLifter
New member
Textbook BP is 120/80. If your diastolic (bottom number) increases to 90 I believe this is hypertension. As far as the systolic number is concerned, there is a little more leway. Ill try to find the stages of hypertension and post them. Good thread PA...I believe the issue is way overlooked as well.
TL
TL
StoneColdNTO
Administrator
Perfection Awaits said:
Anything between 130/80 & 140/90 is pre-hypertensive and considered a warning sign to make lifestyle changes.
Anything > 140/90 is hypertensive and require immediate action to get it down.
Similar threads
