Apr
18

Pathologist Blames Anabolic Steroids for Acute Heart Failure

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A British medical examiner has concluded that the death of a 19-year man was attributable to the use of anabolic steroids purchased on the internet. Pathologist Dr Georgina Howarth blamed steroids for causing the acute heart failure that resulted in the teenager’s death.

“Had it not been for taking the anabolic steroids he would have been here today. That was the cause of his death, ultimately,” according to Dr. Howarth. “It’s a lesson for us all that we must keep clear of these things.”

Mohammed Belkhair was admitted to the Manchester Royal Infirmary after his sister discovered him vomiting and turning blue in his bedroom on May 20, 2011. He died the same day. The toxicology report conducted at the time of his death reportedly found anabolic steroids in his system.

News accounts misleadingly suggest that DHEA and tamoxifen were two of the steroids found. DHEA, while technically considered a steroid, is sold over-the-counter in Britain and the United States. Tamoxifen is not an anabolic steroid; it was originally developed to treat breast cancer. But it has since become popular among steroid-using bodybuilders to prevent the conversion of aromatizing steroids to estrogen.

Curiously, the inquest into the cause of death did not investigate the police arrest of Mohammed Belkhair that preceded his untimely death. Police arrested Belkhair on the night prior to his death and reportedly found four types of anabolic steroids under his bed. The names of the steroids were not identified.

No explanation was provided by Dr Georgina Howarth to explain her failure to investigate the police encounter and arrest that occurred several hours prior to Belkhair’s death. Thus far, the police have not released this information.

The news about the dangers of buying steroids over the internet conveniently comes right before British steroid law changes to make it illegal for Britons to buy steroids over the internet.  The British government plans to follow recommendations made by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) and ban the personal importation of anabolic steroids via the internet and mail in the very near future. This will most likely occur before the London Olympics begin.

 Steroid Pills

Source:

Bainbridge, P. (April 17, 2012). Fitness fanatic Mohammed Belkhair, 19, died after taking steroids. Retrieved from http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1491540_fitness-fanatic-mohammed-belkhair-19-died-after-taking-steroids