New Delhi, May 16: Cardiologists have raised concern over the growing misuse of anabolic steroids, stimulant based fitness supplements and high-intensity workout routines among urban youth, warning that the trend is increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular complications in otherwise healthy young individuals.
Doctors say the pursuit of rapid muscle gain and “aesthetic fitness”, heavily influenced by social media trends and online marketing, is pushing many gym enthusiasts toward unsafe practices that place excessive stress on the heart.
According to Dr Rahul Chandola, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon and Chairman of the Institute of Heart and Lung Diseases, hospitals are witnessing a rise in young patients reporting symptoms such as palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, sudden spikes in blood pressure and early structural damage to the heart.
He clarified that physical activity itself is beneficial, but combining extreme exercise with anabolic steroids, dehydration and stimulant-loaded supplements can create dangerous cardiovascular strain.
Medical experts noted that sudden collapses and cardiac deaths among amateur bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts are becoming an increasing concern both in India and abroad.
Dr Mayank Yadav, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at AIIMS, said many consumers falsely believe that supplements promoted online or sold through e-commerce platforms are medically safe.
He cautioned that several products remain poorly regulated and are often consumed without professional supervision or awareness of dosage limits. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and YouTube, continue to popularise transformation videos, extreme workout challenges and aggressive supplement promotions aimed at younger audiences.
Recent scientific studies have linked anabolic steroid use with reduced cardiac pumping efficiency, thickening of heart muscles and long-term structural damage. Doctors also warned that many pre-workout powders contain excessive caffeine and multiple stimulants capable of triggering elevated heart rate, hypertension and potentially fatal cardiac events in vulnerable individuals.
Chandola highlighted another major concern the lack of proper cardiovascular screening before individuals begin intensive fitness programmes or endurance training.
He said many people may already have silent heart abnormalities that remain undetected until a serious event occurs during strenuous exercise. Routine annual health check-ups, he explained, often rely mainly on blood tests and resting ECGs, which may fail to identify underlying blockages or deeper cardiac issues.
The doctor stressed that people involved in high-intensity training, especially those above 40 years of age or with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking history or family history of heart disease, should undergo more comprehensive cardiac evaluation.
He added that advances in biosensor technology and AI-driven cardiovascular assessment tools are improving early detection of hidden cardiac risks and may help shift healthcare towards preventive screening models.
Doctors also advised young gym-goers to avoid shortcuts for rapid muscle gain and seek medical guidance before using performance-enhancing substances.
“Fitness should focus on long-term health and well-being, not unrealistic body image goals driven by social media pressure,” Yadav said.