Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Medical Specialist Cardiology Harald Thune Jørstad, Amsterdam University Medical Center
- Second opponent: Professor Ylva Hallsten, University of Copenhagen
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor II Kristina Haugaa, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor II Theis Tønnesen, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor II Sigrun Halvorsen, University of Oslo
Summary
Long-term use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has been associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. The aim of this work was to investigate cardiovascular effects of prolonged AAS use in strength-trained men, compared with non-using strength-trained athletes, during extended follow-up. Particular focus was placed on cardiac structure and function, hemostatic balance, and coronary artery disease.
Prolonged AAS use was associated with increased left ventricular wall thickness and impaired cardiac function. No evidence of increased platelet activation or aggregation was observed; however, findings were consistent with enhanced fibrinolytic activity, suggesting an altered hemostatic balance in AAS users. At follow-up, structural and functional cardiac changes persisted among AAS users, but were less pronounced in individuals who had discontinued use compared with those who continued. AAS users had adverse lipid alterations and increased blood viscosity, potentially leading to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the extent of coronary calcification did not differ between the groups. Overall, the findings indicate that long-term AAS use is associated with persistent, but potentially partially reversible, cardiovascular alterations. This highlights the clinical relevance of health risks associated with prolonged AAS exposure.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.