ANABOLIC-STEROID USE AS THE POSSIBLE PRECIPITANT OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is common among young males, inc luding adolescents. There have been several anecdotal reports of sever e cardiovascular events in self-reported young users of AAS, including acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and cardiomyopathy . We present an additional case of a young male weight lifter who pres ented with dyspnea and chest pain attributable to dilated cardiomyopat hy (DC), his only known risk factor being the recent use of AAS. The p ossible role of AAS in the development of DC is discussed.