title: Cardiovascular implications of anabolic steroid abuse.
abstract: Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the hormone testosterone. Anabolic effects such as anticatabolism, increased skeletal muscle mass, and increased aggressiveness are usually desired; however, androgenic effects also result. Decreases in high-density lipoprotein, increases in low-density lipoprotein, changes in total serum cholesterol, hematocrit, and clotting factors, and the development of hypertensive diseases have all been implicated as resulting from anabolic steroid use. Research does not directly link anabolic steroids with cardiovascular diseases, but steroid use can significantly increase risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cheever
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: House
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009737:Nursing Records
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents