Midlife Marathon Running Could Be Harmful to the Heart: Exercise-Induced Hypertension, a Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death
Midlife Marathon Running Could Be Harmful to the Heart: Exercise-Induced Hypertension, a Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death.
Recent findings have highlighted potential risks associated with high-intensity running for middle-aged individuals. According to a study led by Professor Kyoung-Min Park of Samsung Medical Center and Professor Youngjoo Kim of Sungshin Women's University, excessive marathon running could be harmful to the heart, potentially causing Exercise-Induced Hypertension (EIH) and increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The study, which analyzed 24 research papers on the subject, was published in the lastest issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine (IF 3.9).
While running is generally beneficial for cardiovascular fitness, the study reveals that excessive running in individuals aged 40 to 60 could trigger EIH.
This condition is characterized by a significant rise in blood pressure during physical activity, even if the individual's resting blood pressure is normal. Specifically, it is defined by a systolic blood pressure exceeding 210 mmHg in men and 190 mmHg in women during exercise.
EIH can lead to secondary complications such as accelerated atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, atrial enlargement, myocardial hypertrophy, and potentially fatal arrhythmias.
Based on the findings, Professor Park emphasized that individuals over the age of 40 should accurately assess their physical abilities before marathon running. He suggested a structured approach including exercise stress tests and cardiac CT scans for a regular evaluation of cardiac function.
For general health, he recommended adults engage in 20 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, three to five times a week, at 40 to 80% of their VO2 Max. For marathon runners, he concluded they should check exercise-induced blood pressure at least once per year, and if necessary, get cardiac CT scans to check for coronary artery calcification.