Overview
- The European Heart Journal study analyzed data from over 20,000 male bodybuilders active between 2005 and 2020, identifying 121 deaths with an average age of 45.
- Cardiac-related causes accounted for nearly 40% of these deaths, with professional bodybuilders facing a fivefold higher risk compared to amateurs.
- Contributing factors include extreme training regimens, rapid weight changes, dehydration, and widespread use of performance-enhancing substances like anabolic steroids.
- Autopsy reports revealed structural heart changes, including thickening or enlargement, and coronary artery disease in some deceased bodybuilders.
- Researchers call for improved medical screening, stricter anti-doping measures, and a cultural shift in bodybuilding to prioritize long-term health and safety.