INFARTO AGUDO DO MIOCÁRDIO EM JOVENS ADULTOSUSUÁRIOS DE ESTERÓIDES ANABOLIZANTES: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Objective: To analyze, through an integrative review, the relationship between the use of anabolic steroids and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in young adults, identifying the health impacts of such use and highlighting the importance of health education strategies for prevention and awareness in this population. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review with a ten-year time frame, conducted in the SciELO, PubMed, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. Descriptors combined with Boolean operators were used, applying the PICO strategy to guide the search. Following the PRISMA protocol, studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, ensuring methodological rigor and standardization in data analysis. Results: The analysis of the studies revealed that the indiscriminate use of anabolic steroids is one of the main factors associated with acute myocardial infarction in young adults, especially among men aged 18 to 35, motivated by the pursuit of idealized body standards. Significant use was also observed among women, particularly bodybuilders and gym-goers. Final considerations: The abuse of anabolic steroids constitutes a relevant and still underestimated risk factor for severe cardiovascular events. The increasing use of illicit substances in supratherapeutic doses reinforces the need for educational strategies, stricter public policies, and effective monitoring of the commercialization of these substances. It was also observed that, even when aware of the risks, many individuals persist in using them, driven by the desire to achieve the body idealized by society.