In recent years, bodybuilding has gone from a niche practice to a global phenomenon. Giant bodies, defined down to the last muscle, and training routines that defy all human logic. But what about the heart? Can it handle that pace?
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal (2025) shed light on an increasingly talked-about concern: the heart health of bodybuilders. And the data is... worrying.
What does science say?
More than 20,000 male bodybuilders who competed between 2005 and 2020 were monitored. During this period, 121 deaths were recorded —and 38% of them were due to sudden cardiac death . In other words, the heart stopped suddenly, without warning. And the most disturbing thing? The average age of the athletes who died competing was just 34 .
In many cases, autopsies revealed enlarged, overworked hearts —as if the engine had been pushed to its limits for too long.
The invisible weight of anabolic steroids and competitive stress
The use of anabolic steroids and other enhancing substances was identified (or at least suspected) in many cases. But that's not all. Extreme diets, constant dehydration, brutal physical stress, and absurd aesthetic pressure also play a role.
It's like trying to keep a Ferrari running at the redline — one day the engine will blow up.
Is this an attack on bodybuilding?
No. Far from it. The study doesn't condemn the sport, but it does warn of the urgent need for safety measures :
- Regular medical check-ups;
- Risk education;
- Effective anti-doping control;
- And, above all, ensuring that those inspired by these athletes also have access to complete information — what you see on stage is just the tip of the iceberg.
So it's all bad?
No. Bodybuilding can be practiced safely, informedly, and with a focus on longevity, not just aesthetics. But it requires a healthier , more transparent culture, less obsessed with "more is always better."
Conclusion
The death of athletes like Illia "Golem" Yefimchyk at 36 is shocking. But it shouldn't be surprising. It serves as a reminder: muscles are impressive, but it's the heart that sustains everything. And the heart, unlike the biceps, can't be seen in the mirror—but it can be what takes you off the stage… or out of life.
Reference:
Vecchiato, Marco, et al. “Mortality in Male Bodybuilding Athletes.” European Heart Journal , 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf285
Rita Gomes,
BMS Training Director