HDL levels are lowered by smoking, obesity, and using anabolic steroids. Five months after quitting steroids, the bodybuilders HDL levels were almost back to normal, but their LDL levels were still 20 percent higher than normal. The steroid users in this study also showed elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is a primary risk factor in heart disease. All this evidence would point to a high rate of heart disease in bodybuilders on steroids.
Most bodybuilders follow very low-fat diets.
Analysis of their total blood cholesterol usually shows levels of 150 or less. Medical experts say that at this level of cholesterol, atherosclerosis doesn t occur. The high-fruit content of bodybuilders diets is rich in potassium, which stimulates sodium excretion, and has a protective effect on arteries particularly in the brain. A lower level of bodyfat usually comes with lower cholesterol levels and reduced blood pressure. Bodybuilders use aerobics to keep bodyfat levels low.