Ex-“American Gladiators” star Nitro was hospitalized for a HEART ATTACK on Wednesday, TMZ has learned … and Nitro tells us he thinks STEROIDS played a factor. Dan Clark says he experienced intense chest pains while working out at an L.A. gym that night … and then his left arm went numb. Nitro asked a buddy to drive him to a nearby urgent care center … where they quickly realized he was having a heart attack and put him in an ambulance for a nearby hospital. Once Nitro arrived to the hospital, he was rushed into emergency surgery to remove a blood clot in one of his arteries. During the procedure, doctors fitted Nitro with a brand new stent. Nitro says the whole thing was a shock ’cause he’s in peak physical condition … and believes the heart attack may have been a result of the YEARS of steroid abuse from his days as a Gladiator. According to Nitro, ‘roids weren’t viewed as taboo back in the AG heyday … it was just part of the culture. Clark says he’s confident he’ll make a full recovery and says the worst part about the whole ordeal … he can’t workout for a month. Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/12/22/american-gladiators-nitro-heart-attack-steroids/#ixzz2oJv9FYxQ