運動員常使用藥物或是營養增強劑來提升運動表現,然而在使用增強劑的過程中,選手往往都只注意到增補後對體能及運動表現的效果而忽略了其帶來的負面影響。許多研究指出使用同化性類固醇或興奮劑造成多方面的心血管毒性產生,包含脂質的異常、中風、高血壓、心肌梗塞到立即的死亡。1967年便有自由車選手因使用安非他命,使心肺耐受力過度承擔而在比賽中休克而死。此外,β2致效劑常見的副作用包含心搏過速及甲狀腺機能亢進等嚴重心血管疾病。在增補劑已經十分普及的現在,對於增補用藥的安全及使用後對運動員的健康風險,特別是在心血管方面的問題,都還需要選手、教練及訓練員多加注意。
Dietary supplement and drugs are widely used by athletes to enhance their performance. However, the side effects of these performance-enhancing substances are commonly ignored. Many studies have demonstrated that using anabolic-androgenic steroids or stimulants causes multiple cardiovascular toxicities include dyslipidemia, stroke, hypertension, and death. In 1967, there was a cyclist suffered from shock to death during a race because of using amphetamine. Using erythropoietin was also banned in 1970s. Previous studies showed that erythropoietin may causes hypertension and congestive heart failure. The familiar side effects of using β2 agonist are tachycardia, hyperthyroidism, and other severe cardiovascular diseases. There are many kinds of performance-enhancing substances can easily be gotten today. In order to improve the athletic performance, the risks of cardiovascular toxicities by using these substances should be monitored carefully by athletes, coaches, and trainers.