Too much running might clog arteries—even for fit guys
Wearable-Derived Training Load and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Middle-Aged and Older Athletes and Physically Active Controls: A New Perspective From the Master@Heart Study.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Even really fit older men who run a lot may have more plaque in their heart arteries, but it’s not because they run hard—it’s because they run a lot.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
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Evidence Score
A snapshot of a population at a single point in time. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine the direction of cause and effect.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Even really fit older men who run a lot may have more plaque in their heart arteries, but it’s not because they run hard—it’s because they run a lot.
No biological mechanisms were identified in this study. This may be an epidemiological, observational, or survey-based study that reports associations rather than proposing causal biological pathways.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 552 / 44
Evidence Score
A snapshot of a population at a single point in time. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine the direction of cause and effect.
Publication
Authors
Pauwels R, Dausin C, Ruiz-Carmona S, De Bosscher R, De Paepe J, Bekhuis Y, Delpire B, Sinnaeve P, Dymarkowski S, Ghekiere O, Bruckers L, Kuznetsova T, Van De Heyning CM, Van Herck PL, Eijsvogels TMH, Herbots L, Robyns T, La Gerche A, Heidbuchel H, Willems R, Claessen G
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Claims (8)
High-intensity endurance exercise, when accumulated over long durations, is associated with a significantly increased prevalence of coronary artery plaque, an association not detected using self-reported exercise metrics.
High levels of physical fitness do not confer complete immunity against the development of coronary atherosclerosis.
Watches and fitness trackers that measure training intensity and duration are better at linking exercise to heart plaque than asking athletes to remember how much they trained.
Just doing short, intense workouts isn’t linked to more heart plaque—what matters more is how many total hours you spend training over time.
Athletes who train the most, especially with high intensity, are more likely to have heavy calcium buildup in their heart arteries, which is a sign of advanced artery disease.