The sad part is that this kid is 23 and probably still feels invincible. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not the roids that directly kill you. They are a silent killer as they slowly hurt your liver, but it is the cardiovascular risk associated with them that leads to events such as strokes or MI's later on. Roids also raise your blood pressure indirectly, but if followed by a physician they are probably less insiduous than a lot of precription drugs as long as they are not abused. The more likely culprit is the diuretics (along with GH and insulin which totally screw with your metabolic system) that competitors use.
During the cutting up stage before a show, it is not unheard of for an athlete to essentially withhold all free water and take crazy doses of lasix and spironolactone. Apparently, this combo can get you diced, but its side effect profile is dangerous...abnormal electrolytes especially potassium and magnesium. Both of these electrolyte disorders lead to cardiac dysrrhythmias. The unfortunate side effect is Momo Benaziza or even Paul Dillett from a few years ago. This dude was proabably jacked on all of these drugs. He then proceeds to walk in the dry Nevada heat which causes insensible water losses. The dude likely went into renal failure, cardiac dysfunction, etc. Yes, lifting weights and cardio activity are healthy. However, bodybuilders as a whole who abuse these agents are very unhealthy.
I know I tend to disagree with ND, but that pic of Ronnie with the O2 tank is classic.
Lance Armstrong can ride a 150 miles on a bike up a mountain, and then proceed to carry out a full conversation immediately after. Most pro bodybuilders, and I am sure amateur national level competitors, get severely short winded immediately after posing for three minutes. Thus, this kid probably looks really good from the outside, but I would love to take a gander at his renal profile, liver function testing and lipid panel. He probably has atherosclerotic disease of a fifty year old.
