something I want to talk about...

[6p6]

Mods feel free to move this post if you feel it fits in somewhere better.

Topic: The heart

This topic has been on my mind for a few days now and I've wanted to jot down some thoughts. As avid AAS users we are very in tune with our bodies. We work at PCT, we work at our cycles, we work on our diets, we work on training...

BUT I never hear much mentioned about heart health. My personal story with AAS was I waited unitl I was 23 years old, until I felt my genetic potential had run its course. I resisted useage even though countless friends did at very early ages. I am now almost 30. I have used responsibly and never in excess. I wouldn't call myself huge but at 5'9" and 215 lbs with 10 or less percent bodyfat I feel I am a decently knowledged and built bodybuilder.

That being said with 6 years of AAS use to my credit I recently have begun running consistently (not a favorite amoungst bodybuilder...I hate it). I have noticed that I have a heart pain after getting my heart rate near 90%.

This is where the discussion comes in. I felt the urgency to check my heart health out. In my mind my heart just doesn't like working at a high rate for a long period of time due to my size but I wanted to be sure. ....and my doctor agreed.

First step: Resting EKG, results showed good sound strong heart
Second step: Stress EKG/bloodpressure, again results were above normal.
Third step: cholestrol blood tests (2 times), again great results

ON this second test the doctor attributed the pain I described to one of two things. Lower ventricle disease or possible left lung pain. The latter is a possibility for me since in 03 I was in a severe motorcycle accident, one of the attributing injuries was a collapsed left lung.

So far my doctor says my heart is healthy and sees no risk factors. This made me feel good but got me thinkng (hense this post) we use PCT to get our hormone profiles back but when do we ever get our hearts checked out. This is a must because the heart is a muscle and it does get affected by our AAS use.

For me the left lung issue might be something I have to live with. But the lower ventricle disease is what I want to mention. This disease is commonly found mostly in women but occasionally men. It is usually hormone related. This will be my next test because guess what...we increase and mess with testosterone levels which indirectly messes with the female hormone, estrogen.

I'm sure I have nothing to worry about and I am very healthy age is just starting to be a factor. I just really wanted my brother and sisters in AAS use to consider this and get your heart checked out.

Sorry for the long read...

6p6

[AlmostThere]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I have a EKG done yearly as well as complete blood work. Everything always comes back fine. IMHO having blood work done after every cycle is a waste of money.

I stay on year round as well these days. The only problem i have is high blood pressure which runs in my family so it was to be expected.I have been cycling a little longer then u have and started younger but i took a few yrs off in the middle. I am not huge either 6'1 230lbs with a 30in waist is where i sit these days.

[supasaiyan99]

Re: something I want to talk about...

Good post 6p6!

[a-bomb83]

Re: something I want to talk about...

good point brother. seems as if people look out for every other organ/muscle but the heart.

[daddy1122]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I share the same concerns asw you 6p6.. I am one occasionaly worries about my heart. As you said earlier about your left ventricle, I went through the same problem. I was on M1T (worst **** ever) and i ran it a little longer than i should have and ended up increasing the size of my left ventricular wall about twice the size. Even though it sounds bad it really wasnt all that big of a deal. The cardiologist knew i what i had taken (cause blood tests were through the F***in roof) and she said that even though on the ultra sound it showed bigger when I was resting when I would do cardio it would actually go back to normal size and would eventually go back to normal size while resting as well. She basically told me that i had not done any permanent damage (thanks God) but I was lucky.. Resting b/p was 220/90.. thats when i decided no more high androgenic/orals any more..

[daddy1122]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I share the same concerns as you 6p6.. I am one who occassionaly will worry about my heart. As you said earlier about your left ventricle, I went through the same problem. I was on M1T (worst **** ever) and i ran it a little longer than i should have and ended up increasing the size of my left ventricular wall about twice the size. Even though it sounds bad it really wasnt all that big of a deal. The cardiologist knew what I had taken (cause blood tests were through the F***in roof) and she said that even though on the ultra sound it showed bigger when I was resting when I would do cardio it would actually go back to normal size and would eventually go back to normal size while resting as well. She basically told me that i had not done any permanent damage (thanks God) but I was lucky.. Resting b/p was 220/90.. thats when i decided no more high androgenic/orals any more..

[NICKD]

Re: something I want to talk about...

That's a good point 6. I do a combination of low-intensity cardio and HIIT. Some will argue that the HIIT is too much intensity and that it will slow muscle-building. They are most likely correct. I feel the tradeoff for slightly slower muscle-building, which is cardiovascular health, is worth its weight in gold. I feel better, have better endurance, and don't get winded as easily when playing sports or doing other physical activity. Cardiovascular disease IS a killer, and the more you can do to take care of your heart NOW should pay dividends at old age. Thanks for the great post.

[6p6]

Re: something I want to talk about...

That's a good point 6. I do a combination of low-intensity cardio and HIIT. Some will argue that the HIIT is too much intensity and that it will slow muscle-building. They are most likely correct. I feel the tradeoff for slightly slower muscle-building, which is cardiovascular health, is worth its weight in gold. I feel better, have better endurance, and don't get winded as easily when playing sports or doing other physical activity. Cardiovascular disease IS a killer, and the more you can do to take care of your heart NOW should pay dividends at old age. Thanks for the great post.

thx boss

[badasz32]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I hear lots of talk about enlarged hearts but from my understanding is that aas only effects skeletal muscle, not cardiac muscle. My boy who is at SIU medical was talking to me about it a few days ago.

[O2BESOHUGE]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I HAVE A LADY FRIEND THATS A CARDIOLOGIST AND SHE JUMPS MY AZZ ABOUT ANY KIND OF STEROID. SHE SAYS STEROIDS DO ENLARGE THE HEART, BUT I DONT KNOW IF SHES JUST SAYING THAT TO ME BECAUSE SHE WANTS ME TO STOP OF IF ITS IN FACT TRUTH

[angryoldman]

Re: something I want to talk about...

On a 5th grade level answer:
Steroids enlarge your muscles that are worked. A heart is a muscle. It is worked. So I can see legitimately how steroids would enlarge your heart.

[SpyWizard]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I had that all done as well...

46 cholesterol 325 since i was 25...

all test were good and above average for my age..

suggestion for you... when you run, if you are right handed, breath in when the left foot strikes the ground... it's opposite from what you do, but this technique will or should fix the pain..

good luck..

[6p6]

Re: something I want to talk about...

I
suggestion for you... when you run, if you are right handed, breath in when the left foot strikes the ground... it's opposite from what you do, but this technique will or should fix the pain..

good luck..

Is that real? You joking? Is that some Mr. Miogi wax on wax off or you have some truth to that? I will try it tomorrow though just to see!