If high levels of exercise increase risk of coronary calcification does it also increase CV mortality

Do long time endurance athletes have an increased risk of coronary calcification? If so, does that correspond to an increase risk of cardiovascular events?


In this study (1)  the life long exercisers in the highest activity level (5-6 hours of vigorous activity per week) did show an 11% increase coronary artery calcification (CAC) of a score of 100 or higher but that group had an all cause and cardiovascular mortality risk lower than that in groups with a lower level of exercise.

The author conclusions:

"This study suggests there is evidence that high levels of physical activity (3,000 MET-min/week)are n iassociated with prevalent  CAC but are not associated with increased all-cause 0r CVD mortality after a decade of follow-up, even in the  presence of clinically significant CAC levels."

To the extent these results reflect reality,there may be some reassurance to folks who may have spent arguably too many hours running or cycling.

1) Defina, LF et al. Association of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality with high levels of physical activity and concurrent coronary artery calcification. JAMA Cardiology, 2019 42 (2) P174 (full free text available)


" a man hears what he want to hear and disregards the rest" The Boxer,, Simon and Garfunkel