Even if you’re super fit, you can still get heart disease — being strong doesn’t make you bulletproof.
Scientific Claim
High levels of physical fitness do not confer complete immunity against the development of coronary atherosclerosis.
Original Statement
“Fitness is not an immunity. When we're amongst the most active, this doesn't give us blanket protection from heart disease.”
Context Details
Domain
cardiology
Population
human
Subject
High levels of physical fitness
Action
do not confer
Target
complete immunity against coronary atherosclerosis
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (5)
Physical fitness in male adolescents and atherosclerosis in middle age: a population-based cohort study
Even the fittest guys in high school still sometimes got plaque in their heart arteries decades later — so being super fit doesn’t make you completely immune to heart disease.
Even super fit athletes who train a lot can still develop early signs of heart artery plaque — meaning being super fit doesn’t make you completely immune to heart disease.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Carotid Intima–Media Thickness in Physically Active Young Adults: CHIEF Atherosclerosis Study
Even super fit people in the study still had some early signs of artery clogging, which means being super healthy doesn’t make you completely immune to heart disease.
Association of cardiorespiratory fitness level with vascular function and subclinical atherosclerosis in the elderly
Even people who are very fit and exercise a lot can still get early signs of heart artery disease — so being super fit doesn’t make you completely immune.
Atherosclerosis and Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes.
Even super fit athletes can still have hidden heart artery blockages that can cause heart attacks — being in great shape doesn’t make you immune.