Is extreme bodybuilding putting your heart at risk? Here's what the study says
Bodybuilders push their limits through intense exercise, strict diets, and in some cases, the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs. While the result is a sculpted body, it comes at a cost, and as per a recent study, the tradeoff is human life being cut short.
That stark conclusion is drawn from a large-scale study published on May 20 in the European Heart Journal. Researchers tracked 20,286 male bodybuilders who had competed in at least one bodybuilding event between 2005 and 2020.
The findings revealed that professional bodybuilders were twice as likely to die from sudden cardiac death as the general population—and five times more likely than amateur bodybuilders.
'Our findings show that the risk of death among male bodybuilders is considerably high. Professional athletes had a markedly higher incidence of sudden cardiac death, suggesting that the level of competition might contribute to this increased risk,' said study co-author Dr.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar!
Zumbido no ouvido
Undo
Marco Vecchiato, sports medicine specialist at the University of Padova, Italy.
A global Pattern
The study identified 121 deaths among competitive bodybuilders, with the average age at death just 45. Of these, about 40% were sudden and heart-related, often caused by underlying, often undetected, cardiac issues. The breakdown of deaths by geography painted a global picture of the crisis:
North America: 40.5% (mostly USA)
Europe: 38.8%
Asia: 7.4%
Africa: 6.6%
South America: 5%
Oceania: 1.7%
The data was compiled through official records, social media posts, news reports, forums, and blogs in five different languages. Death reports were meticulously cross-verified and analyzed by two clinicians to confirm the cause of death.
The cardiac cost of building muscle
Autopsy findings from some of the deceased athletes showed signs of thickened or enlarged hearts and coronary artery disease.
In several cases, toxicology reports and public information confirmed the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances, which are known to strain the cardiovascular system.
Medical experts warn that these substances, often used without medical oversight, can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest—especially when combined with dehydration and intense training.
Psychological toll
The study didn't just stop at physical health. Around 15% of the deaths were categorized as sudden traumatic deaths—including suicides, overdoses, car crashes, and murders—highlighting the mental health challenges many athletes face in high-stakes competitive environments.
Additional research—including a 2021 Frontiers in Psychology review—points to body dysmorphia, depression, and obsession with appearance as key mental health issues among competitive bodybuilders. 'The pressure to achieve social ideals of muscularity may contribute to psychological distress, body dissatisfaction, and athletes may develop or worsen body dysmorphic disorders,' the study noted.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Greenhouse gases aren't harmful? Donald Trump administration likely to make shocking announcement
President Donald Trump 's administration is preparing to upend a foundational scientific determination about the harms of greenhouse gases that underpins the US government's ability to curb climate change. A proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change the so-called "Endangerment Finding" was sent to the White House on June 30, a spokesperson told AFP. An announcement is expected imminently. Here's what to know -- and what's at stake if the finding is overturned. What is the Endangerment Finding? Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Management Data Science MBA Degree Project Management Public Policy Design Thinking PGDM healthcare Others Leadership others Product Management Data Analytics Digital Marketing Technology MCA CXO Finance Data Science Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The Clean Air Act of 1970 empowered the EPA to regulate "air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." For decades, the law applied to pollutants like lead, ozone and soot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Fat-Burning Patch Triggers Weight Loss "Unlike Any Other" Health Advice Today Undo But as climate science around the dangers of heat-trapping greenhouse gases advanced in the 2000s, a coalition of states and nonprofit groups petitioned the EPA to include them under the law, focusing on motor vehicles. The issue reached the Supreme Court, which in 2007 ruled that greenhouse gases qualify as air pollutants and directed the EPA to revisit its stance. Live Events That led to the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which declared greenhouse gases a threat to public health and welfare, based on overwhelming scientific consensus and peer-reviewed research. "That 2009 finding formed the basis for all of EPA's subsequent regulations," Meredith Hankins, a senior attorney on climate and energy for the activist Natural Resources Defense Council, told AFP. "They've issued greenhouse gas standards for tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles, smokestack emissions from power plants -- all of these individual rulemakings trace themselves back to the 2009 Endangerment Finding." What is the Trump administration doing? The Endangerment Finding has withstood multiple legal challenges, and although Trump's first administration considered reversing it, they ultimately held back. But the finding is now a direct target of Project 2025, a far-right governance blueprint closely followed by the administration. In March, the EPA under Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a formal reconsideration of the finding. "The Trump Administration will not sacrifice national prosperity, energy security, and the freedom of our people for an agenda that throttles our industries, our mobility, and our consumer choice while benefiting adversaries overseas," he said. The government is expected to undo the earlier finding that greenhouse gases endanger public welfare. It will argue that the economic costs of regulation have been undervalued -- and downplay the role of US motor vehicle emissions in climate change. In fact, transportation is the largest source of US greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1970, the United States has emitted more vehicle-based greenhouse gases than the next nine countries combined, according to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Integrity that will soon be published in full. FAQs Q1. Who is President of USA? A1. President of USA is Donald Trump. Q2. Which is largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in US? A2. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in US is transportation
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Girl fights leukemia for 22 months, returns to IIM-L to finish course
Girl fights leukemia for 22 months, returns to IIM-L to finish course LUCKNOW: IIM Lucknow's (IIML) students and professors needn't look far for crisis management lessons. Anjali Bharti has just turned the page on that and more --- the 28-year-old has scored over cancer and come back to finish her course after a hiatus of nearly two years. "It's a new normal. I value myself more now. I don't laugh like before; I get anxious easily, but my spirits are high to chase life independently again," Anjali told TOI as she rejoined her PGP programme. It all began in 2022 when Anjali cleared CAT and joined IIML, only to end up finishing her first year in a wheelchair after being diagnosed with stage III leukaemia (blood cancer). The Patna native, whose father was a driver and died in an 2012 accident, was confined to hospital for 22 months after eight cycles of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Health problems started within two months of Anjali joining IIML. "My appetite went for a toss. I had frequent stomach aches and fever. When I returned home during Chhath Puja (2022), my mother insisted on consulting a doctor, who broke this shattering news," said the physics graduate from Magadh University who had worked four years with the govt-run India Posts before cracking CAT. Anjali's mother did tailoring jobs to support the family. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Just to be sure, Anjali consulted doctors at a specialised cancer hospital in Patna and they confirmed the findings. She was hospitalised for a month, missing her mid-term IIML exams. "Even before winters, I was wearing woollen in Sept. I was too feeble to even stand and had excruciating pain in my knees," said Anjali. She returned to IIML in Jan 2023 on the wheelchair to take missed exams but had to return to Patna soon for treatment. By that time, the cancer cells had affected her lower body until waist, and she was referred to Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. She took a chance, fought chemo cycles. Her body and mind held her up long enough to undergo a bone marrow transplant (BMT). For Anjali, it was brother Ashish who became her anchor. He gave up his UG seat at IITBHU just to be by Anjali's side. "I remember it was her birthday on Nov 20 (2023) when she underwent BMT. We were determined to get her cured. Ours is just not a story of survival but love," said Ashish, Anjali's bone marrow donor. Although the treatment was costly, support from her brother and crowdfunding by IIML friends helped. "I am alive today because of my brother who donned several hats - of a nurse, caretaker, therapist, hope and ultimately my saviour," Anjali said. The journey was difficult even after BMT, with infections creeping in. But her firm resolve paid off when Anjali was allowed to go home in March this year after living in isolation for 83 days. Anjali soon called up IIML for re-enrolment and got a positive response. "The institute allows a maximum two-year deferment in medical cases like these. Her (Anjali's) journey of battling cancer and resuming academics offers unparalleled inspiration to the entire IIML community," IIML professor and PGP chairman Alok Dixit said. Prof Suresh Jakhar, a former PGP chairperson who supported Anjali, described her journey as one of "extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination".
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Robotic hip replacement op at KGMU
Lucknow: Doctors at KGMU successfully performed two robot-assisted hip replacement surgeries, making it the first govt institution in UP to achieve this feat. Both patients received the surgery free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The first patient, 20-year-old Durgesh, a farmer from Lakhimpur Kheri, suffered from arthritis that severely damaged his hip, causing him intense pain and making it difficult to walk. After being advised to undergo hip replacement surgery by local doctors, he was referred to KGMU. In the orthopaedics department, he was admitted under the head of department, Prof Ashish Kumar, who opted for robotic surgery due to its precision and quicker recovery time. Similarly, 75-year-old Brahm Dev from Basti, also suffering from severe arthritis, underwent the robotic hip replacement. Given his advanced age, conventional surgery posed higher risks. Therefore, Prof Ashish and his team decided to perform the procedure using a robot. Prof Kumar explained that robotic surgery is an advanced global technique that uses 3D mapping of the bones to accurately place the implant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The procedure was performed by a team from the orthopaedics department, including Prof Narendra, Prof Kumar Shantanu, Dr Sanjeev, Dr Devarshi, Dr Madhusudan and Dr Brijmohan. The anaesthesia team was led by Dr Dinesh Kaushal and Dr Neelkamal. VC Prof Soniya Nityanand said: "We are committed to providing modern and less painful surgical options to patients. Robotic surgery is being promoted actively."
