Is Minor Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Normal (Safe) During Cycle?

[DaBao]

So I'm in the 8th week of my first ever cycle of test e 500 mg. Blood pressure is 130/72, resting heartrate 75.

Yesterday I went for EKG and heart ultrasound and found that my left ventricular wall thickness is 13 mm which is over the reference range 6-11. My overall left ventricular size has also increased a little, but heart functions are all good. I googled and found that it's normal for heavy lifters to have slightly enlarged heart especially during cycle. A research found that most elite lifters using steroid have left ventricular wall thickness over 13mm, the largest being 16 mm. This type of left ventricular hypertrophy is called physiological LVH. On the other hand, pathiological LVH is another type of enlarged heart caused by underlying issues. I checked the numbers on my ultrasound report and was very certain that my condition is physiological meaning that it's only caused by steroid use and chronicle lifting rather than by dangerous underlying issues. The doctor also said its clear that I don't have any serious and chronicle heart issues.

My question is, should I continue my cycle? My google research shows this to be a normal condition, and my bp and Hr are all good, but I still wanna hear some opinions...I live in China so I will never completely trust a doctor here.
.

 

[Sworder]

Your heart growing is always a bad thing. Is it something you should worry about? Yes.

Only you can determine if the risk is worth the reward.

 

[DaBao]

Your heart growing is always a bad thing. Is it something you should worry about? Yes.

Only you can determine if the risk is worth the reward.

But if heart growing is expected during a steroid cycle and it will return to normal afterwards, should it still be a concern? Also, I didn't have baseline numbers for heart measurements as I only did EKG and blood tests pre cycle.

 

[Sworder]

But if heart growing is expected during a steroid cycle and it will return to normal afterwards, should it still be a concern? Also, I didn't have baseline numbers for heart measurements as I only did EKG and blood tests pre cycle.

You do know that your heart is the most important organ in your body right?

 

[truthwalker]

You do know that your heart is the most important organ in your body right?

Yes, other than the...brain

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Sworder]

Yes, other than the...brain

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, but you can technically be brain-dead and still "live." ;d

 

[truthwalker]

Yeah, but you can technically be brain-dead and still "live." ;d

Touche!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[DaBao]

You do know that your heart is the most important organ in your body right?

“https://thinksteroids.com/articles/anabolic-steroids-and-enlarged-heart/”

Dr. Scally mentioned here that even LVH caused by long term AAS use is highly unlikely to cause health issues, assuming that heart functions are normal. I guess if most AAS users do a heart ultrasound during cycle they will likely find a slightly enlarged left ventricular.

 

[DaBao]

Yes, other than the...brain

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, but you can technically be brain-dead and still "live." ;d

Why would you throw insults around without even reading my entire post? Why not try to actually contribute to the discussion which might be important for other people who might have similar conditions?

 

[Sworder]

Why would you throw insults around without even reading my entire post? Why not try to actually contribute to the discussion which might be important for other people who might have similar conditions?

He was just kidding, take it easy.
Go with whatever Scally says, seems like you answered your own question I guess.

 

[truthwalker]

He was just kidding, take it easy.
Go with whatever Scally says, seems like you answered your own question I guess.

It was merely a jest, I apologize for making it at your expense. I agree with Sworder, Scally would know much better than I. But I'll give my 2c anyway.

I think the greatest risk regarding LVH for steroid users comes when gear is used at high dosages for long periods of time. I think as long as they are used responsibly, the risk of cardiovascular malfunction is minimal. If I were you, I'd finish out the cycle and then get checked again after you've given your body plenty of time to recover to see if there is a difference in thickness.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[DaBao]

It was merely a jest, I apologize for making it at your expense. I agree with Sworder, Scally would know much better than I. But I'll give my 2c anyway.

I think the greatest risk regarding LVH for steroid users comes when gear is used at high dosages for long periods of time. I think as long as they are used responsibly, the risk of cardiovascular malfunction is minimal. If I were you, I'd finish out the cycle and then get checked again after you've given your body plenty of time to recover to see if there is a difference in thickness.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Thank you for your advice. Think I will continue my cycle as long as I don't feel anything wrong with my heart...

 

[hurricane]

Thank you for your advice. Think I will continue my cycle as long as I don't feel anything wrong with my heart...

Your obviously concerned about this so stop AAS use. As someone with serious heart issues and recent cardiac surgery I advise you to stop. I'm not a doctor and you may be fine. To say that your heart function is fine today is great. But what about next month? And yes even my cardiac specialists said having an enlarged heart as a bodybuilder is quite common, it is a muscle after all. You were concerned enough to post this and I respect that. Now be responsible and stop if your really concerned. Its your choice and don't base your decision off of our opinions. Either roll the dice or step away from the table. IMO

 

[DaBao]

Your obviously concerned about this so stop AAS use. As someone with serious heart issues and recent cardiac surgery I advise you to stop. I'm not a doctor and you may be fine. To say that your heart function is fine today is great. But what about next month? And yes even my cardiac specialists said having an enlarged heart as a bodybuilder is quite common, it is a muscle after all. You were concerned enough to post this and I respect that. Now be responsible and stop if your really concerned. Its your choice and don't base your decision off of our opinions. Either roll the dice or step away from the table. IMO

Thank you for you advice. I asked 2 doctors and they both said my condition is fine, so I will continue my cycle for now and do another test next week. If it gets worse I will stop then.

 

[Sworder]

Thank you for you advice. I asked 2 doctors and they both said my condition is fine, so I will continue my cycle for now and do another test next week. If it gets worse I will stop then.

In another week you probably won't see much change, try 6 months or a year.

 

[DaBao]

In another week you probably won't see much change, try 6 months or a year.

Thank you. I hope everything will return to normal after I stop using. My cycle has only 4 weeks left though.

 

[Sworder]

Thank you. I hope everything will return to normal after I stop using. My cycle has only 4 weeks left though.

Yeah, but you are looking for long term effects no?

 

[Moab]

What led you to get an EKG while on cycle, DaBao?
Not a standard thing to do, so I'm guessing there were other concerns?
Based on my reading, LVH seems unavoidable for AAS users, but there's still uncertainty as to whether some LVH is actually bad for you or not.
Natty athletes experience LVH too as "athlete's heart."
I am very interested in this issue, but certainly don't have all the answers.
I'm comfortable with every known side effect of AAS except LVH.
Definitely serious to think my decisions are setting me up for a heart attack down the road. Not really what I'm going for as a fitness enthusiast, lol.


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[DaBao]

Yeah, but you are looking for long term effects no?

Yes, but I also wanna see how it changes during just one week on cycle to make sure it won't grow crazy large at the end of my cycle...

 

[DaBao]

What led you to get an EKG while on cycle, DaBao?
Not a standard thing to do, so I'm guessing there were other concerns?
Based on my reading, LVH seems unavoidable for AAS users, but there's still uncertainty as to whether some LVH is actually bad for you or not.
Natty athletes experience LVH too as "athlete's heart."
I am very interested in this issue, but certainly don't have all the answers.
I'm comfortable with every known side effect of AAS except LVH.
Definitely serious to think my decisions are setting me up for a heart attack down the road. Not really what I'm going for as a fitness enthusiast, lol.


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I had a nightmare last Sunday morning that I felt my heartbeat stopped for a few seconds and I tried to speak but couldnt make a sound. I woke in terror. It was pretty scary and felt very real. So I went for a ultrasound and ekg that morning.