Marathoning may temporarily increase risk of heart attack.Running has long been understood to provide a vast array of cardiovascular benefits. But in a recent departure from conventional wisdom, two new studies indicate that marathon running may actually cause a short-term increase in the risk of heart attacks and other adverse cardiac events. Research subjects were middle-aged physicians participating in the American Medical Athletic Association's (AMAA AMAA Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 AMAA American Medical Athletic Association AMAA American Maine-Anjou Association AMAA Afghan Medical Association of America AMAA Armenian Missionary Association of America, Inc. ) symposium at the Boston Marathon Boston marathon famous 26-mile race held annually for long-distance runners. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : Endurance [TM] from 1996 to 2001. The subjects completed the marathon each year of the study. Blood levels of several proteins associated with inflammation of the blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. and blood clotting blood clotting, process by which the blood coagulates to form solid masses, or clots. In minor injuries, small oval bodies called platelets, or thrombocytes, tend to collect and form plugs in blood vessel openings. were measured the morning before the marathon, within four hours after, and the morning after. Although no heart attacks were reported among the subjects during the study period, specific increases in certain blood proteins that are associated with increased heart attack risk and higher death risk from a cardiac event were observed in the hours after the marathon. In some subjects important protein levels remained elevated the day after the marathon. AMAA member Art Seigel, M.D., concluded that the imbalance of clotting factors Clotting factors Substances in the blood that act in sequence to stop bleeding by forming a clot. Mentioned in: Partial Thromboplastin Time clotting factors, n. and other blood proteins induced by marathon running may trigger a cardiac event. The implications of the study for older marathoners are not clear and you shouldn't panic or plan to stop running marathons. Running is still providing you overall protection against cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. Mentioned in: Lipoproteins Test cardiovascular disease and cardiac events. Predicting risks associated with these transient alterations in inflammatory and clotting factors will require more research and discussion. Meanwhile, if you are a marathon runner over 40 years old and have known heart risks such as a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol Cholesterol, High Definition Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in animal tissue and is an important component to the human body. It is manufactured in the liver and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. , or high blood pressure, discuss your training plans with your doctor. Ask your doctor about the possible benefits of taking aspirin to help prevent clotting that can lead to a heart attack. Take all the steps you can to lower your risk, including continuing to run. (American Journal of Cardiology, 2001, Vol. 88, No. 8, pp. 918-920; 920-923) |
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