Common cardiovascular wisdom sees aerobic activities such as running as healthy habits that can do only good for the heart. But a study released this past summer by a German clinic has created controversy around marathon runners and the phenomenon of artery-clogging plaque that can cause heart attacks.
The study, conducted at the West-German Heart Center Essen, focused on male marathoners 50 and older. Among its findings was that while the runners had lower than average cholesterol levels and better blood pressure, they had more measurable coronary calcium buildup or plaque than did the general population.
The running world has no shortage of high-profile heart attack cases. Health-book author Jim Fixx, Powerbar founder Brian Leigh Maxwell and Silent Sports magazine editor Greg Marr all were struck down by heart attacks, despite ostensibly being in perfect health.
The question raised by the German study's findings -- and being addressed by a study at the Minneapolis Heart Institute -- bucks conventional thought: Can athletic activities such as long-term marathon training actually contribute to poor heart health?
"Running is a proven healthy activity, but we're looking to find if there can be too much of a good thing," said Dr. Robert Schwartz, the Minneapolis Heart Institute cardiologist heading the study, which will look at about 50 men who have run marathons for more than 25 years straight.
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Schwartz said stress from years of running -- including states of dehydration, exercise-induced high blood pressure, prolonged high pulse rates in events such as marathons, and the movement and twisting of arteries while on the run -- has unknown long-term effects.
running has been a wonderful way for me to set goals because i am not a natural runner. so for me to run 10-12 miles is a big deal. and setting goals is a way for me not to be bored out of my mind. but now that I have achieved distance and speed goals, i am intersted in looking at other ways to stay interested in working out. the knees ain't what they used to be, and the distance running makes me hungry like crazy!
next...how long can i stand on my head? hmmm...
Goals: 1. Enjoy life! 2. Be aware, be awake, pay attention. 3. One word 2010: faith
Posts: 2653 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: November 11, 2006
Everything in moderation. I ran for years and just did it for fitness. Then I made the mistake of trying to be a runner who "trained", did races, and joined a running group. All I did was ruin my knees. Most of the people in the running group were obsessed with it to I thought a very unhealthy degree.
I guess I'm glad that I only run half marathons and am slow enough that I have no choice but to stay hydrated & well fueled.
Oh, and I have no intention of ever running a full marathon simply because I KNOW I won't be willing to put that much time into long runs every single week.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
