A POSITION paper authored by the European Society of Cardiology outlines the adverse cardiovascular effects of doping substances, some common medications, and other performance-enhancing supplements. The authors outline how these substances, both legal and illegal, can have significant effects on the cardiovascular health of athletes. The paper advises athletes to seek medical advice before taking anything that could impact their performance. Sports activities are increasingly popular and, as people strive to achieve, some may wish to take substances that can enhance performance.
A position paper authored by the European Society of Cardiology, which appears in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, provides updated information on how certain medications and supplements can be dangerous for athletes’ cardiovascular health. The authors outline the intent of their updated statement as follows: “The objective is to inform physicians, athletes, coaches, and those participating in sport for a health enhancement purpose about the adverse cardiovascular effects of doping substances, commonly prescribed medications, and ergogenic aids when associated with sport and exercise.”
The authors describe doping as “the use of a substance or method [that] is potentially dangerous to athletes’ health or capable of enhancing their performance,” as defined by the International Olympic Committee’s Lausanne Declaration on Doping in Sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lays out specific substances and medications that athletes cannot use. However, there can be a significant amount of time between athletes experimenting with novel drugs or supplements and WADA being alerted to their use. Prof. Bernard Cheung, an expert in cardiovascular disease who was not involved in the recent paper, explained to Medical News Today that “the lists of banned substances cannot keep up with new designer drugs designed to circumvent existing regulations.”
The new position paper identifies several doping substances and how they can impact cardiovascular health. It also outlines why athletes use these substances.
