People using anabolic steroids, which mimic the effects of testosterone in the human body, may increase the potential risk of a heart disease called atrial fibrillation, a new study has found.

The new study, published in the Journal of Physiology, found that male hormones such as testosterone, also known as androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS), are misused for muscle building, especially among young men.

This can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in people who are genetically predisposed to heart disease.

“Our study can make a significant contribution to understanding the effects on heart health in young men who misuse anabolic steroids to increase muscle mass,” said lead author Dr. said researcher Dr. Laura Sommerfeld.

“While recent reports have shown that young men in particular are being targeted for the sale of testosterone products on social media such as TikTok, we believe that steroid misuse is becoming more common in specific areas that many are unaware of. “We have shown that there are risks associated with this,” she added.

Researchers looked at the potential effects on a condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). ARVC is genetically determined and is thought to result primarily from disruption of the formation of cellular junctions important for myocardial stability.

“Myocardial diseases like ARVC affect young, athletic people and can cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. Atrial fibrillation is a common condition in the general population. Testosterone Levels “elevated levels may cause earlier onset of these diseases,” said University Professor Larissa Fabritz.

Researchers initially confirmed that ARVC occurs more frequently and severely in men than women, based on patient clinical data.

In laboratory experiments, researchers found that six weeks of AAS uptake and impaired cell binding can cause decreased sodium channel function in heart tissue and slowed signal conduction within the atria.

“This study suggests that young men with important genetic changes are at higher risk of developing electrical problems in the heart in response to anabolic steroid abuse,” said co-author and author of Clinical Sciences said Dr. Andrew Holmes, assistant professor at the institute. at the University of Birmingham.