UTSW's Research Disputes Exercise's Influence on Arterial Calcium Buildup
New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that high-level exercise doesn't affect the progression of calcium buildup in arteries, even among older athletes like marathoners with higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. Published in JAMA Cardiology and the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, the findings challenge assumptions about exercise's protective effects on plaque accumulation. Benjamin Levine, M.D., emphasized that while CAC doesn't directly cause heart disease, it's an indicator of plaque in heart vessels. The study involving over 8,700 participants aged 40 and above found longer exercise durations linked to higher CAC scores, highlighting exercise duration's role in coronary health.
UTSW's Research Disputes Exercise's Influence on Arterial Calcium Buildup