Med. praxi. 2025;22(5):371-373 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2025.036

Anabolic steroid abuse as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity

MUDr. Filip Král^{1, 2}, MUDr. Karel Lábr, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, doc. MUDr. Roman Panovský, Ph.D.^{1, 2, 3}, MUDr. Monika Špinarová, Ph.D., MSc.^{1, 2}, MUDr. Veronika Bednárová, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, MUDr. Jiří Seménka^{1, 2}, MUDr. Roland Oravský^{1, 2}, MUDr. Andrej Nagy^{1, 2}, MUDr. Katarína Doležalová^{1, 2}, MUDr. Blanka Fisherová, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, prof. MUDr. Jan Krejčí, Ph.D.^{1, 2}

¹ Interní klinika - kardiologie a angiologie, Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny, Brno

² Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno

³ Mezinárodní centrum klinického výzkumu, Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny, Brno

This case report highlights the cardiovascular risks associated with the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) through the example of a previously healthy male without known risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Chronic AAS use led to the development of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) due to IHD, complicated by recurrent arrhythmias and requiring cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D). The case underscores the importance of early detection of risky behavior, the need for interdisciplinary care, and education of the target population.

Keywords: heart failure, anabolic steroids, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, ejection fraction.

Received: May 5, 2025; Accepted: May 6, 2025; Published: December 1, 2025  Show citation