Exercise and Coronary Atherosclerosis: Observations, Explanations, Relevance, and Clinical Management.

ABSTRACT: Physical activity and exercise training are effective strategies for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, but multiple studies have reported an increased prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis, usually measured as coronary artery calcification, among athletes who are middle-aged and older. Our review of the medical literature demonstrates that the prevalence of coronary artery calcification and atherosclerotic plaques, which are strong predictors for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, was higher in athletes compared with controls, and was higher in the most active athletes compared with less active athletes. However, analysis of plaque morphology revealed fewer mixed plaques and more often only calcified plaques among athletes, suggesting a more benign composition of ath

SUBMITTER: Aengevaeren VL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7176353 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature