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Anabolic Steroids
Cardiac MRI Results (need help understanding)
- Thread starter benjaminnetenyahu
- Start date
bananafeet
Member
Your heart is a bit thick in the high pressure side. It is pumping a bit less blood due to this thickening. It is also a bit stiff.
No signs of scaring.
I don't know how to judge this. There are other guys here who have dealt with this on this forum.
I had minor thickening of the pumping side of my heart when I was obese and had low testosterone and sleep apnea.
Obviously you can shrink your heart and improve its function by going off steroids for atleast a year and improving your cardio.
No signs of scaring.
I don't know how to judge this. There are other guys here who have dealt with this on this forum.
I had minor thickening of the pumping side of my heart when I was obese and had low testosterone and sleep apnea.
Obviously you can shrink your heart and improve its function by going off steroids for atleast a year and improving your cardio.
benjaminnetenyahu
New Member
Thanks for your input brother! I’m ashamed to say this but I’m going to be entirely transparent. I was an idiot and ran 2 cycles where I let my blood pressure run wild and didn’t do any cardio. 160/70s was my blood pressure for majority of the first cycle and the second cycle was much better but still high. I don’t know what is wrong with me or why I did this with no care for my health and regret
It quite a lot.
Anyways, unfortunately what’s done is done. Since then, I’ve been consistent with daily fasted cardio for months, I’m on BP meds now, and I’m taking COQ10
bananafeet
Member
Well these compounds are addictive.
The difference in pressure is a good indicator of heart health. 160/70 is like 90 pulse pressure.
When your heart goes back to a 40 pulse pressure it's healthier. The second number being low and the first being high is a bad sign.
For example:
160/60 worse than 160/90
Mine is currently 125/70. It would be better as 120/80. That's a 40 pulse pressure.
When you get it back within that sort of range it means you're heart is flexible and less stiff.
I'm not an expert..other guys here will probably chime in
Raww
Member
Just for grins I ran your stuff through a bot, and here's what it thinks:
Your MRI shows:
Biventricular dilation (enlarged LV and RV chambers) with mildly to moderately increased indexed volumes.
Mildly reduced systolic function (LVEF 47%, RVEF 41%) and global hypokinesis (uniformly reduced wall motion).
Mild concentric LV hypertrophy (wall thickness 13 mm).
Diffuse myocardial high T2 signal suggesting edema (inflammation/swelling in the heart muscle).
These are classic features seen in AAS-related cardiac toxicity:
Hypertrophy and dilation often occur from direct androgen effects on heart muscle cells, plus pressure overload from hypertension (your uncontrolled BP during cycles is a key contributor).
Reduced ejection fractions (mildly depressed here) and global dysfunction are reported in AAS users, even after short-to-moderate cycles, with studies showing drops in LVEF by ~5% or more during active use.
Myocardial edema (T2 hyperintensity) can reflect acute/subacute injury or inflammation from AAS toxicity, without progressing to permanent scar in many cases.
Absence of focal LGE is reassuring—no irreversible focal scarring (which is sometimes seen in long-term or heavy users, but not always).
This pattern is consistent with AAS-induced dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, often exacerbated by hypertension and lack of aerobic exercise. It's non-ischemic (no coronary disease implied) and matches reports of reversible changes in amateur/strength athletes after limited cycles.
Many studies (including prospective ones like the HAARLEM study) show that structural changes (hypertrophy, dilation) and functional declines (ejection fraction, diastolic issues) from AAS are often reversible after stopping use, especially with shorter cycles and prompt cessation. Recovery can occur within months to a year:
LV mass, volumes, and EF often return to baseline after ~8 months off-cycle in some cohorts.
Systolic function tends to recover more readily than diastolic in some cases, but overall improvement is common with abstinence + standard heart failure care.
Cases of severe decompensation (e.g., heart failure requiring hospitalization) have shown partial or full reversal after stopping AAS and starting meds like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or diuretics.
Next Steps and Recommendations
Complete and permanent cessation of AAS — This is the single most important factor for potential recovery. Continuing or restarting risks progression to worse heart failure.
Cardiology follow-up urgently — Share this history openly (as you're doing here—great step). Your cardiologist may:
Repeat echo or MRI in 3–6 months to track changes.
Start guideline-directed medical therapy (e.g., beta-blockers like carvedilol, ACEi/ARBs like lisinopril/entresto, possibly aldosterone antagonists or SGLT2 inhibitors if indicated).
Monitor BP aggressively (target <130/80) with meds if needed.
Assess for arrhythmias or other complications.
Lifestyle changes:
Incorporate regular cardio (e.g., moderate aerobic exercise once cleared—start slow).
Heart-healthy diet, weight management, no stimulants/alcohol excess.
Avoid supplements that could stress the heart.
Your MRI shows:
Biventricular dilation (enlarged LV and RV chambers) with mildly to moderately increased indexed volumes.
Mildly reduced systolic function (LVEF 47%, RVEF 41%) and global hypokinesis (uniformly reduced wall motion).
Mild concentric LV hypertrophy (wall thickness 13 mm).
Diffuse myocardial high T2 signal suggesting edema (inflammation/swelling in the heart muscle).
These are classic features seen in AAS-related cardiac toxicity:
Hypertrophy and dilation often occur from direct androgen effects on heart muscle cells, plus pressure overload from hypertension (your uncontrolled BP during cycles is a key contributor).
Reduced ejection fractions (mildly depressed here) and global dysfunction are reported in AAS users, even after short-to-moderate cycles, with studies showing drops in LVEF by ~5% or more during active use.
Myocardial edema (T2 hyperintensity) can reflect acute/subacute injury or inflammation from AAS toxicity, without progressing to permanent scar in many cases.
Absence of focal LGE is reassuring—no irreversible focal scarring (which is sometimes seen in long-term or heavy users, but not always).
This pattern is consistent with AAS-induced dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, often exacerbated by hypertension and lack of aerobic exercise. It's non-ischemic (no coronary disease implied) and matches reports of reversible changes in amateur/strength athletes after limited cycles.
Many studies (including prospective ones like the HAARLEM study) show that structural changes (hypertrophy, dilation) and functional declines (ejection fraction, diastolic issues) from AAS are often reversible after stopping use, especially with shorter cycles and prompt cessation. Recovery can occur within months to a year:
LV mass, volumes, and EF often return to baseline after ~8 months off-cycle in some cohorts.
Systolic function tends to recover more readily than diastolic in some cases, but overall improvement is common with abstinence + standard heart failure care.
Cases of severe decompensation (e.g., heart failure requiring hospitalization) have shown partial or full reversal after stopping AAS and starting meds like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or diuretics.
Next Steps and Recommendations
Complete and permanent cessation of AAS — This is the single most important factor for potential recovery. Continuing or restarting risks progression to worse heart failure.
Cardiology follow-up urgently — Share this history openly (as you're doing here—great step). Your cardiologist may:
Repeat echo or MRI in 3–6 months to track changes.
Start guideline-directed medical therapy (e.g., beta-blockers like carvedilol, ACEi/ARBs like lisinopril/entresto, possibly aldosterone antagonists or SGLT2 inhibitors if indicated).
Monitor BP aggressively (target <130/80) with meds if needed.
Assess for arrhythmias or other complications.
Lifestyle changes:
Incorporate regular cardio (e.g., moderate aerobic exercise once cleared—start slow).
Heart-healthy diet, weight management, no stimulants/alcohol excess.
Avoid supplements that could stress the heart.
bananafeet
Member
ChatGPT is very good at inducing PANIC.
These results vary. I'm not saying continue blasting.... But I had a mate who had one test say reduced ejection fraction (heart failure) and another say normal.
Panic won't help old mate or his ticker.
Anyway I'm sure it will be fine given some rest and some time off.
These results vary. I'm not saying continue blasting.... But I had a mate who had one test say reduced ejection fraction (heart failure) and another say normal.
Panic won't help old mate or his ticker.
Anyway I'm sure it will be fine given some rest and some time off.
Raww
Member
I took less doom from that then you did then. I was more focusing on the "Many studies (including prospective ones like the HAARLEM study) show that structural changes (hypertrophy, dilation) and functional declines (ejection fraction, diastolic issues) from AAS are often reversible after stopping use, especially with shorter cycles and prompt cessation. Recovery can occur within months to a year:" parts.
benjaminnetenyahu
New Member
My chat gpt said it wasn’t too bad. Basically all my doctors said was “get off steroids” which is not going to happen lol. I would assume I’d need to cruise for quite some time to get it to return to normal. I do have another echocardiogram scheduled 6 months out
bananafeet
Member
No. Cruising won't help. You need to be at physiological levels for a while.
The longer your exposure the worse it gets. Maybe you need a bit of panic in that case.
Your gains won't disappear if you actually gained muscle not bloat. The changes are permanent. The fluid and glycogen is a drug effect and temporary....
True TRT of like 80-125mg per week only is what you actually need. But it's your heart. I'm assuming you have a spare heart somewhere
bananafeet
Member
Panic is my middle name. Maybe others is "bury your head in the sand" or "she'll be right".
benjaminnetenyahu
New Member
Fuhhhh I want a pro card so bad . My bad should’ve clarified my cruise is just TRT with 2iu of GH. Might have to take some time off from blasting for a bit. I’m getting bloodwork results in 2 days so we’ll see what’s going on
Edit: say I cruise for 1 year (TRT) and the damage is as reversed as it can be. Will blasting again revert my heart back to its current state if I take care of my health on cycle?
bananafeet
Member
You're already predisposed to this side effect. So yeah when you introduce the drugs again it will come back.
Unless it was only driven by blood pressure then maybe not.
Also HGH is not trt. It's another drug that is know to increase heart size...
Usually the dose to induce a side effect is less that the dose required to sustain it. Like once you're balding it's easier to remain bald than reverse it.
Good news here is you caught it early and can deal with it and you know the cause.
Not to be to rude but is a stupid piece of paper card worth your life shortening?!?
Answer is and always will be a resounding no.
You can still be jacked and help coach others and train like an animal without the stupid ID of a pro card brother man.
Say it with love
bananafeet
Member
I was just thinking today about how shit my strength numbers are compared to how much gear I took. I made better progress when I was hypogonadal and focused on eating and training.
Sure I LOOK better now. But goddamnit the progress has been shit compared to how I imagined it....
Sure I LOOK better now. But goddamnit the progress has been shit compared to how I imagined it....
benjaminnetenyahu
New Member
In all honesty I’ve only been enhanced for 2 years now. Dude I’m working with is confident I’ll be competing at a national level by the end of this year.
Maybe not now with the health things going on, but we’ll see how my bloods look in couple days
I’m truly hoping the heart issues are simply from letting my blood pressure run wild like banana feet had mentioned
They all love to say this man sorry to be the one to tell you. The heart issues arose over years of abuse not two cycles of letting your BP run wild
benjaminnetenyahu
New Member
Well it must’ve been those 2 cycles bc I’ve only ran 3 and the first one was just 500 test lol
xrayphoton13
Member
I just read through it. Pretty normal. Some slight hypertrophy is normal in people that work out. The ejection percentages listed are within the ranges listed just on the lower end of normal. I wouldn't panic. Take some time on trt with HIIT cardio and that should hopefully take care of it
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