Not your father's marathon - athletes' increased risk of heart attack after running marathon - Brief Article

Men's Fitness, Feb, 2002

Marathon runners are the ultimate aerobic athletes, yet they may be at increased risk of heart attack for 24 hours after racing. In an analysis of 80 healthy runners, researchers at several Boston medical centers discovered a temporary increase in clotting and inflammatory factors that "loads and cocks the gun" for a heart attack, which could occur if a cardiac complication were to arise.

"Runners need to understand not only the benefits of regular exercise, but the risks of extreme exercise," says lead author Arthur Siegel, M.D., a former marathon runner. He advises long-distance runners to take low doses of aspirin and consult their doctors about whether to take statins.

"To young people, I say go out and enjoy the training and the sport," says Siegel. "But I have reservations about people in their 30s and 40s doing this to promote their cardiovascular health."

The report was published in the American Journal of Cardiology.