Bodybuilding and Heart Health: A Warning from a Cardiovascular Consultant

Renowned cardiovascular consultant Dr. Jamal Shaban has issued a crucial warning following the sudden death of Belarusian bodybuilder Ilya Golem Efimchuk, also known as “The Beast.”

Ilya Golem, a 36-year-old bodybuilder from Belarus, passed away due to a heart attack, as reported by international media. Dr. Shaban took to his personal Facebook account to share his thoughts on the matter.

“The death of Golem from Belarus, considered the world’s greatest bodybuilder and nicknamed The Beast, was caused by a heart attack resulting from steroid and hormone use,” Dr. Shaban wrote.

He emphasized, “We have repeatedly warned of the dangers of steroids and hormones to the heart, kidneys, liver, and blood vessels.”

Ilya Golem was widely regarded as the world’s strongest bodybuilder, boasting an impressive physical condition. He weighed 165 kilograms and followed a diet consisting of seven meals a day, consuming approximately 16,500 calories.

Although Golem did not participate in professional bodybuilding competitions, he shared his training regimen on social media, amassing over 300,000 followers across all platforms.

Unfortunately, Golem’s case is not an isolated incident. Last August, Brazilian professional bodybuilder Antonio Liso Bras de Souza passed away at the age of 26 due to a heart attack during the 2024 Navega Open tournament.