The IMPACT OF ANABOLIC STEROID USE ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF RISKS AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n5p223-241

Keywords:

esteroides androgênicos anabolizantes, doenças cardiovasculares, dislipidemia, hipertrofia ventricular esquerda, trombose

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of structural, metabolic, and hematological cardiovascular alterations in chronic users of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and based on the PICO strategy. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, Embase, and Scopus, covering publications from 2017 to 2026. A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Evidence consistently demonstrates that AAS use is associated with significant cardiovascular alterations, including left ventricular hypertrophy, reduced ejection fraction, endothelial dysfunction, and increased arterial stiffness. Additionally, an atherogenic lipid profile was observed, marked by decreased HDL and increased LDL levels, along with erythrocytosis, blood hyperviscosity, and elevated thromboembolic risk. Conclusion: Chronic supraphysiological use of AAS is strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, highlighting the need for clinical monitoring and targeted public health strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Rayan De Moraes Couto Spindola, UniFOA

Formado em Nutrição pela UniFOA em 2016, discente de Medicina pela UniFOA

Lucas Reis da Silva Fernandes, UniFOA

Discente da UniFOA

Rodrigo César Carvalho Freitas, UniFOA

professor, pesquisador e educador com mais de duas décadas de atuação na área acadêmica. Doutor em Neuroimunologia pela UFF, dedica sua trajetória a unir o rigor das neurociências à prática pedagógica. Especialista em Neuroeducação, defende o aprendizado como uma construção coletiva e dinâmica, baseada na teoria do "cérebro em rede". Pai e entusiasta das metodologias ativas, acredita que a educação é a ferramenta mais poderosa para transformar o potencial humano, desde os primeiros anos escolares. Com Neuroeducação na Mochila, ele traduz evidências científicas em caminhos práticos para fortalecer o vínculo entre escola e família, tornando a jornada do aprender mais leve e significativa para todos.

References

ALBANO, G. D. et al. Adverse effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids: a literature review. Healthcare, v. 9, n. 1, p. 97, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9010097. Disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/1/97. Acesso em: 4 mar. 2026.

BAGGISH, A. L. et al. Cardiovascular toxicity of illicit anabolic-androgenic steroid use. Circulation, v. 135, n. 21, p. 1991–2002, 2017. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.026945. Disponível em: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.116.026945. Acesso em: 9 abr. 2026.

BOND, P.; SMIT, D. L.; DE RONDE, W. Anabolic-androgenic steroids: how do they work and what are the risks? Frontiers in Endocrinology, v. 13, 2022. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.1059473/full. Acesso em: 2 fev. 2026.

D'ANDREA, A. et al. Biventricular dysfunction and lung congestion in athletes on anabolic androgenic steroids: a speckle tracking and stress lung echocardiography analysis. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, v. 28, n. 17, p. 1928–1938, 2022. DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwab086. Disponível em: https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article/28/17/1928/6335769. Acesso em: 5 abr. 2026.

FADAH, K. et al. Anabolic androgenic steroids and cardiomyopathy: an update. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, v. 10, 2023. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1214374. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1214374/full. Acesso em: 1 abr. 2026.

FYKSEN, T. S. et al. Cardiovascular phenotype of long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid abusers compared with strength-trained athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, v. 32, n. 8, p. 1170–1181, 2022. DOI: 10.1111/sms.14172. Disponível em: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sms.14172. Acesso em: 5 mar. 2026.

GENCER, B. et al. Cardiovascular risk and testosterone: from subclinical atherosclerosis to lipoprotein function to heart failure. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, v. 22, n. 2, p. 257–274, 2021. DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09628-2. Disponível em: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11154-021-09628-2. Acesso em: 9 abr. 2026.

GRANT, B. et al. Androgen abuse: risks and adverse effects in men. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, v. 1538, n. 1, p. 56–70, 2024. DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15187. Disponível em: https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nyas.15187. Acesso em: 2 jan. 2026.

KOSMAS, C. E. et al. The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio as a risk marker for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Diagnostics, v. 13, n. 5, p. 929, 2023. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13050929. Disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/5/929. Acesso em: 4 fev. 2026.

NASCIMENTO, H. S. et al. Anabolic-androgenic steroids at supraphysiological doses: cardiovascular impacts and pathophysiological mechanisms. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, v. 258, p. 106938, jan. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2026.106938. Disponível em: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096007602600004X. Acesso em: 26 mar. 2026.

OHLANDER, S. J.; VARGHESE, B.; PASTUSZAK, A. W. Erythrocytosis following testosterone therapy. Sexual Medicine Reviews, v. 6, n. 1, p. 77–85, 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.04.001. Disponível em: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050052117300410. Acesso em: 12 fev. 2026.

PENGTHINA, W.; SAELUE, P. Efficacy of oxymetholone in severe and nonsevere acquired aplastic anemia: a propensity score matching analysis. Journal of Blood Medicine, v. 13, p. 753–761, 2022. DOI: 10.2147/JBM.S383148. Disponível em: https://www.dovepress.com/efficacy-of-oxymetholone-in-severe-and-nonsevere-acquired-aplastic-ane-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JBM. Acesso em: 12 fev. 2026.

RAJA, V. et al. Non-HDL-cholesterol in dyslipidemia: review of the state-of-the-art literature and outlook. Atherosclerosis, v. 383, p. 117312, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117312. Disponível em: https://www.atherosclerosis-journal.com/article/S0021-9150(23)05233-4/fulltext. Acesso em: 2 jan. 2026.

SIDELMANN, J. J. et al. Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse impairs fibrin clot lysis. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, v. 47, n. 1, p. 11–17, 2021. DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1714398. Disponível em: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0040-1714398. Acesso em: 20 nov. 2025.

TUNGESVIK, H. M.; BJØRNEBEKK, A.; HISDAL, J. Impaired vascular function among young users of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Scientific Reports, v. 14, n. 1, 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70110-5. Disponível em: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-70110-5. Acesso em: 20 nov. 2025.

Published

2026-05-03

How to Cite

Spindola, R. D. M. C., Fernandes, L. R. da S., & Freitas, R. C. C. (2026). The IMPACT OF ANABOLIC STEROID USE ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF RISKS AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES. Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences, 8(5), 223–241. https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n5p223-241