A BODYBUILDER who injected himself with steroids in an attempt to ‘bulk up’ died of a heart attack, an inquest heard.

Marcin Antoni Kladiwo from Salisbury Street, Shotton was a gym enthusiast who was in the process of applying for his door staff licence.

The 29-year-old Polish national had been taking a cocktail of food supplements, protein shakes and steroids before his sudden death on September 25.

John Hughes, coroner for North East Wales, told the inquest at Flint that Mr Kladiwo had a family history of heart disease.

Reading from a statement from girlfriend Christina Place, Mr Hughes said: “Marcin was very fit and he trained three times a week. He was conscious of what he ate and he didn’t drink alcohol. He drank protein shakes and took vitamin pills and also took steroids.”

The court heard Mr Kladiwo began injecting himself with steroids in February last year but switched to a tablet form after he complained of abdominal pains.

Mr Hughes added: “The first time Marcin injected himself with steroids, he felt unwell and his face was red.

“His eyes were bloodshot and he said he had taken double the dose.

“We went to bed and at four o’clock in the morning he woke up and asked for a sandwich. He said his heart was racing and he thought he was having a heart attack.”

An ambulance took Mr Kladiwo to Wrexham Maelor hospital where he had blood tests.

Hospital staff wanted him to remain on the ward for further tests but Mr Kladiwo discharged himself, the court heard.

“He was at home in Shotton on the day he died,” said Mr Hughes. “His brother Adrian had a phone call from Marcin to say he was feeling unwell. Adrian came home to the house they shared and saw that Marcin was vomiting in the toilet and was pale and sweaty.

“His brother called an ambulance and as paramedics were speaking to Marcin, he collapsed on the floor.”

Mr Kladiwo was rushed to the Countess of Chester hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Forensic officers discovered a number of supplements in his bedroom, including a bag of loose brown capsules in his bedside drawer that could not be identified.

Giving evidence Dr Will Kenyon, who performed a post mortem examination, confirmed the cause of death was a heart attack due to steroid abuse.

Mr Hughes, who recorded an accidental death verdict, said: “Often for weight lifters, they take steroids to bulk themselves up. We can never know how many steroids Marcin took because we we’re never there to see.

“He clearly had difficulties with his heart but the steroid abuse was the ultimate factor here.

"I don’t think for one second that he intended to take his own life, but he must have appreciated what he was doing.”