Using Blood Pressure Medications in a Preventative Role for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Using Blood Pressure Medications in a Preventative Role for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

This is a potentially very deep hole to open, but I have been meaning to broach the subject for some time… so lets open her up.

The effect of anabolic androgenic steroids on the cardiovascular system has been well described in the literature. The use of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) has been linked to underlying a number of cardiac conditions

AAS like other endogenous steroids influence left ventricular hypertrophic response through the androgen receptor.

Androgen receptors are found on skeletal muscle and also on cardiac myocytes. They cause alterations in heart structure, including left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation which can cause impaired contraction and relaxation

Anabolic steroids can induce an unfavorable enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle, which loses its diastolic properties with the mass increase.

AAS can also cause hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired fasting glucose.

There is a case to be made for the use of ACE Inhibitors and ARBs in the preventing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy by
Hypertensive Patients

I am surprised that this is not a more common practice in AAS users.. in a preventative sense.

This conversation has the potential to spread into many ” separate discussions” from treatment of Steroid Induced LVH ( there case studies to look at ) to prevention.. to which ACE or ARB is best suited to the task and at what dosage.. along with the very practical ” what additional risks” if any would deployment present.

Anyone with initial comments.. most welcome.

Victor Black

2 weeks into my competition cycle for 2019 and my Blood Pressure is moving up.

Blood Pressure ( again )

I believe in full transparency.

2 weeks into my competition cycle for 2019 and my Blood Pressure is moving up.

Elevated BP and Elevated Hematocrit is simply a reality of the types and dosages of drugs we use during periods of ” elevated risk” ie pre contest

What is important here is we don’t stick our head in the sand and pretend its not here.. just step up and address it.
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How to take your Blood Pressure..

This might seem a little ” Captain Obvious” but I know it has helped some guys in the past.. because this is serious business with due regard to our health when using PEDs..

You should sit quietly for a minute or two before measuring..

Dont talk to someone else whilst measuring..

Put both feet flat on the floor.

Support your back on a Chair with a Back support..

Make sure your arm is supported the effort of holding your arm in position will change the reading..

Make sure you have a cuff large enough for your arm ( a small cuffs mean elevated/incorrect readings )

If your cuff cant fit your Arm you can do what they do for obese people and that is take at the wrist.. not ideal but it is what it is.. eventually you should buy an XXL cuff..

Make sure that the cuff is at heart level.. this is especially true if you take BP at the wrist.. try taking your BP just 6″ above or below heart level and you will see this changes the reading..

Measure the readings in both arms – a large differential might indicate an underlying issue.. a small variation is normal..

Use the side that has the highest reading in the future

If you taking BP medication take the reading before you admin the Medicine ..

Victor Black
#over50bodybuilding