JAMA Study Links 5-Plus Years of Steroid Use to Plaque Buildup in Men and Women
Updated
Updated · Earth.com · Aug 2
JAMA Study Links 5-Plus Years of Steroid Use to Plaque Buildup in Men and Women
3 articles · Updated · Earth.com · Aug 2
Summary
A 2025 JAMA Network Open study of 164 recreational athletes found active anabolic-steroid users had more rupture-prone coronary plaque than nonusers, with cumulative exposure tied to abnormal heart muscle mass in both sexes.
Five years of use marked the sharpest worsening in artery calcification, extending evidence beyond men and showing cardiovascular damage in female users as well.
Earlier controlled data in 140 male weightlifters showed users' left ventricular ejection fraction averaged 52% versus 63% in nonusers, alongside heavier coronary plaque burdens.
A separate Danish follow-up of 1,189 sanctioned users over about 11 years found triple the heart-attack rate and nearly nine times the cardiomyopathy rate of matched controls.
Researchers say the findings reflect a broad public-health problem, not just elite sports: a meta-analysis put lifetime use at 3.3% globally, and many users now take steroids for appearance rather than competition.