Anabolic Steroid-Induced Myocardial Infarction in a Young Male

Misuse of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) has been well known to increase the risk for a cardiac problem, including acute myocardial infarction (MI). Steroids once thought a magic drug providing immediate relief to patients, also have a darker aspect of its severe side effects. AAS are widely used these days, especially in teenagers, bodybuilders, and athletes. MI is thought to be a disease of old age, but young patients with MI without risk factors draw attention to the possibility of drugs such as cocaine, AAS abuse, and amphetamine. In this article, we report the case of a 38-year-old African-American male, with a history of AAS abuse, who arrived at the emergency department with complaints of severe chest pain radiating to the left arm. An electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and elevated troponin. The patient was transferred to the cardiac catheterization lab for an emergent catheterization which showed 100% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery and a drug-eluting stent was placed. An echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 35%. All blood workup was negative. The patient was discharged on aspirin, ticagrelor, statin, ACE inhibitor, and B-blocker after three days. Chest pain in a young patient population secondary to MI is not uncommon these days and the most important thing to evaluate is drug history, including AAS use. Athletes, bodybuilders, and others who use steroids or other drugs that are responsible for MI should be under the supervision of physicians so that the complications of steroids are ascertained, and if steroids are needed for any medical illness, proper dosage and follow-up should be emphasized. Therefore, while taking history from a patient, it is essential for physicians to be aware of this association of steroids with coronary artery disease.