Dr. George Touliatos, MD

We keep losing bodybuilder’s unnecessarily. Each time it happens the logical conversation doesn’t occur. The next steps aren’t taken. Steps to stop this from happening again. We’re all so smart. Like scientist.. when we want to be. I’m not talking about abandoning anabolic steroids. When will blood pressure meds be an accepted ancillary just like aromatase inhibitors? When will doing things that are good for your heart be as important as 21 inch upper arms or a 700 pound deadlift? These are not mutually exclusive. They can occupy the same space. It’s time to have this conversation.

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SHR # 2355 :: Bodybuilding's Dirty Little Secret

Show Notes:

[1:16] Carl hopes that bodybuilders will look at blood pressure medication as ancilliaries.

[3:07] The number one killers are the heart and brain.

• Enlarged hearts are a big problem in bodybuilding.

[4:54]  Calcium channel blockers should be as important as anitestrogens.

[5:50] Hypertrophy of the left ventricle is discussed.

• This is a classic symptom of weight lifting even without AAS.

[7:00] Cardio is imperative to train the heart to relax.

[8:00] Why do bodybuilders neglect blood pressure meds?

• Aldosterone release is upped to do AAS. This drives blood pressure up.
• Blood is thicker and harder to pump throughout the body.
• AAS also elevate clotting factors, similar to nicotine and sleep apnea.

[10:46] Tren and halo don’t aromatise, but they still elevate blood pressure.

• Androgenicity may be linked to thickening the heart.

[11:55] When blood pressure goes up, kidney damage goes up.

• Creatinine is elevated.
• Chronic untreated blood pressure can lead to kidney growth.

[13:32] BP meds aren’t going to cause you to lose muscle or strength.

[14:41] People die from aneurysms everyday due to the weakening of blood vessels from high BP.

[16:30] GH increases elasticity in arteries.

• Cardio does as well.

[18:40] Cardio raises HDL and increases insulin sensitivity.

[19:31] The muscles of the heart have to open the heart. It doesn’t just release after each concentric pump.

[25:50] Which BP meds would be appropriate for weight lifters?

• Beta blockers lower max heart rate. This is probably not good for weight lifters.
• Calcium channel blockers and diuretics lower BP.
• ACE inhibitors should be tried before diuretics.

[28:50] Bodybuilders should undergo an ultrasound each year.

[31:20] Stimulants elevate BP.

• Carl once got tachycardia from caffeine and trenbolone.

[32:40] AAS contribute to arrhythmia and disturbe electrolyte flux.

[33:59] Carl stopped caffeine.

• His REM sleep doubled.
• His water retention in the ankles has left him.

[37:50] General advice for bodybuilders with high BP>

• Lower salt intake.
• Give blood.

[39:45] Getting dirty blood out of the body is probably the best thing that you can do for yourself.

• It’s like getting an oil change in your car.

[45:35] the heart is a muscle and has androgen receptors.

• Take care of sleep apnea if you have it.
• Maintain hydration to keep hematocrit in check.

[51:20] Sodium’s relationship to aldosterone.

• Long term reduction can raise aldosterone.

[53:25] Going low carb can put off fluids from the body and lower BP.

• PDE-5 inhibitors have been abandoned for lowering blood pressure.

[56:35] Some people are genetically predisposed to have high BP.

• Catecholamines play a big role in compounding problems from stacking steroids and genetic predisposition.

[58:45] If you know your arm measurements and squat numbers, you should know your BP.

[59:20] ACE vs. ARB for remodeling?

• L-carnitine aids in energy production in the heart.

Show Transcript SHR # 2355 :: Bodybuilding's Dirty Little Secret