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
Surprising Findings
High-intensity exercise alone didn’t increase plaque risk—only high total volume did.
Everyone assumes intense workouts are dangerous for the heart, but this study shows it’s the sheer number of hours, not the intensity, that matters.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re an endurance athlete over 40, consider getting a coronary calcium scan (CAC) and track your training volume with wearables—not just your memory.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
High-intensity exercise alone didn’t increase plaque risk—only high total volume did.
Everyone assumes intense workouts are dangerous for the heart, but this study shows it’s the sheer number of hours, not the intensity, that matters.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re an endurance athlete over 40, consider getting a coronary calcium scan (CAC) and track your training volume with wearables—not just your memory.
Publication
Journal
Circulation
Year
2026
Authors
R. Pauwels, C. Dausin, S. Ruiz-Carmona, R. De Bosscher, J. De Paepe, Y. Bekhuis, B. Delpire, P. Sinnaeve, S. Dymarkowski, O. Ghekiere, L. Bruckers, T. Kuznetsova, C. M. Van De Heyning, P. L. Van Herck, T. Eijsvogels, Lieven Herbots, T. Robyns, André La Gerche, H. Heidbuchel, Rik Willems, Guido Claessen
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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.