CHANDIGARH, Oct. 10 -- "It is a well fact that male bodybuilder athletes have a five times higher risk of heart attack. This is due to multiple factors."
While explaining this, Dr HS Bedi, chairman cardio thoracic & vascular surgery at Park Hospital, Mohali said that such athletes can have a heart disorder called cardiomyopathy. which predisposes to sudden cardiac death (SCD) .
This can be easily picked up by a simple test called a cardiac echo, Dr Bedi pointed out.
"Besides these athletes are sometimes given anabolic steroids and protein supplements, which can damage the heart and kidneys."
Dr Bedi further stated that in an international competition the athlete sometimes intentionally dehydrates to maintain a specified body weight. Thi...