Long‑term Steroid Use Thickens Men’s Hearts, But Quitting Can Revert Damage

A recent follow‑up of a 2017‑2019 cohort of middle‑aged men who used anabolic‑androgenic steroids (AAS) for strength training has traced how the drugs change the heart over nearly a decade. The study, led by researchers at Oslo University Hospital and published in the European Heart Journal: Cardiovascular Imaging, followed 70 AAS‑using men and 35 non‑users, collecting medical history, hormone levels and detailed echocardiograms.

Findings show that men who kept taking steroids had a persistent thickening of the left ventricular wall, the muscle that pumps blood into the aorta. The increased wall thickness reduced the heart’s ability to contract and relax, with up to 17 % of continuing users experiencing severe impairment. The thicker heart muscle limited blood flow and lowered oxygen delivery to the body.

The study also revealed that stopping AAS can reverse the damage. Men who had ceased use and were on high‑blood‑pressure medication showed a measurable drop in left‑ventricular thickness and improved systolic function, bringing their heart health closer to that of the non‑users. However, those who only reduced their intake still had compromised LV function.

These results highlight that long‑term steroid use poses a serious cardiovascular risk, yet the heart can recover once the drugs are stopped. The researchers call for continued prevention and harm‑reduction efforts, noting that AAS remain widely available through online communities and overseas markets, despite being illegal for non‑medical use in Norway. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings in larger populations.