Running marathons may lead to heart disease
Running marathons may lead to heart disease
Running marathons may be associated with the development of heart disease. This is according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology 2010 Scientific Sessions. Investigators reported that long term marathon runners had more calcified plaque within coronary arteries compared to non-marathon runners.
Study authors report that they were concerned over the frequency in which marathon runners are dying of heart attacks and sudden death. They stated that at least three runners have died this year during marathons, three of which died during the 2009 Detroit Marathon, a race that included almost 4,000 participants. They commented that marathon runners are usually considered to be a healthier group of people within our society. However, one recent estimate suggests that the rate of sudden cardiac death among marathon runners is rare, roughly 0.8 per 100,000 runners.
Study authors analyzed 25 runners who completed the Minneapolis-St Paul Twin Cities Marathon every year for 25 consecutive years, thus completing a minimum of 25 marathons. The study subjects and 25 controlled matched people who were not marathon runners were analyzed with a heart scan that was able to measure calcified plaque within the arteries around the heart. Calcified plaque is associated with a higher risk of heart attack. The results of the heart scans for the marathon runners showed 62% more calcified plaque than the non-marathon runners.
The reason why marathon runners would have more coronary artery plaque is not obvious. As stated above, marathon runners tend to be healthier than the average person. The typical risk factors for heart disease such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes were controlled for in the study.
It is possible that the excessive physical stress of running long distances may some how impact the coronary arteries, causing local inflammation and plaque deposition.
It is difficult to make a conclusion based on this one study and we should wait and see if more research will clarify this perplexing question.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Posted on March 24, 2010
