There are many new drugs, many new cycle theories, and the amounts people using. Also we have to take genetics into consideration. In the old days, only the guys with elite genetics were even bodybuilding, and when those people take a bit of drugs they gain a lot.
Nowdays, most people in the gym are on drugs. Most people on the biggest cycles, dont even look like they lift. Using steroids is just too common nowdays.
Also, the amount and the variety of shit needed to compete is ridiculous. In the old days they did like dbol, deca, maybe test and thats it. These guys who drop dead are on 10 different compounds + slin + igf + GH in super idiotic dosages.
I would say that the causes of death are not drugs tho, like @unreal24278 said, but its the MASS and what is needed to maintain it. Technically - the more drugs, the more mass, but i believe if we would inspect death rates of morbidly obese people at those weight ranges and more, it would look just as bad.
Exactly like you said - old guys dont die for some reason. In my country all the good bodybuilders we even have are 50+ and competing for 30+ years. All alive, all still doing their stuff. Why? Well… i believe its because most of them are under 6’0 and under 220lbs. When you take a dwarf and you build him up to 300lbs shit is going to happen.
Drugs are being done in cycling, fighting, american football, powerlifting. Not THAT much deaths in these.
The most damage is done by drugs that are needed to get show-ready, and those who are needed to get you to 300lbs.
Also, we have to understand that typical bodybuilder lives a shit lifestyle. They call slowly dragging their ass on a stair-machine “cardio”.
Not being physically fit is a good way how heart problems creep up. I had the same problem Kali Muscle had now, when i was 20. I had 90% blockage, but not cholesterol, but weird fibrotic tissue. I wasnt able to walk up the stairs without pain in my chest so i went for a checkup.
I have no idea how was that guy having sex and not noticing chest pain. The idea is that you DONT GET 90% blockage in 1 day… There is a point when you start feeling how it gets in the way of your cardio UNLESS you dont move at all.
When you start to feel it doing your sets of 10, its too late.
Thats why since i had that problem at the age of 20, everytime im about to pass out doing my HIT cardio or sparring a few rounds, i kind of feel happy, because if its me, not my heart that hurts, it means im ok.
As a person who actually died from this problem and was brought back to life i am yet to understand how these people NOT NOTICE when this shit creeps up. How little of a movement these people do in their daily lives, is beyond me.