A new global study reveals that professional bodybuilders face twice the risk of sudden cardiac death compared to the general population, raising urgent concerns over the extreme physical demands and performance-enhancing practices associated with the sport.
Professional bodybuilding may sculpt extraordinary physiques, but it could come at a devastating price. A new study published in the European Heart Journal has found that those who pursue extreme muscle gain face a dramatically heightened risk of sudden cardiac death, with nearly 40% of reported deaths among bodybuilders being heart-related.
The research analyzed 20,286 male bodybuilders who competed in at least one official event between 2005 and 2020. Among them, 121 deaths were confirmed and medically reviewed. The average age at death was just 45 years.
The study revealed that bodybuilders face a fivefold higher risk of cardiac death compared to amateur lifters. Post-mortem reports from many of the deceased revealed alarming heart conditions thickened or enlarged hearts, hardened arteries, and clear signs of coronary artery disease.
The pursuit of extreme muscularity, through excessive strength training, severe dietary restrictions, dehydration, and frequent use of anabolic steroids, places tremendous strain on the heart.
These findings cast a long shadow over a sport long admired for its discipline, aesthetics, and peak human performance. While amateur bodybuilding typically promotes fitness and strength, professional-level competition often encourages practices that push the human body to its cardiovascular limits.
Anabolic steroid abuse, widely reported in elite bodybuilding circles, emerged as a major factor. Steroids are known to raise blood pressure, thicken heart muscle, and elevate cholesterol all of which increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
The psychological burden of professional bodybuilding also plays a role. The study highlights how the pressure to conform to hyper-muscular ideals can lead to mental health issues like body dysmorphia, performance anxiety, and risky behaviors, further compounding physical health risks.
We need a global conversation on safe practices, mental health support, and tighter regulation of performance-enhancing substances in competitive bodybuilding.
As the sport continues to grow in popularity, especially on social media and fitness platforms, this research may prompt federations, trainers, and fans to reconsider the price of physical perfection and advocate for healthier, more sustainable approaches to strength and aesthetics.