Running and heart disease

[mthakershi]

Hi friends,

A coworker told me that running can actually make one's heart weak and may increase chances of a heart attack gradually. She said she saw a news report about a study performed on long distance runners.

Is this true?

Thank you.

 

[matt182]

nope no not at all.

In fact exercsing makes the heart stronger thats why a fitter person has a higher stroke volume.

What he/she is implying is that exercise bad and increases the likelyhood of a heart attack, thats ludicrous!

What increases a heart attack is:

age
male
history
genetic

hypertension
hyperlipemia
diabetes
smoking

 

[Typhon]

I think I've seen that report too but I think the people studied were non-elite marathon runners and the increase in risk was more short term after running a marathon than long term degeneration

If you're just running for fitness over a moderate distance I don't think this is a factor for you anyway. Running is good for you in many ways