Marathons and Cardiac Arrest
I have always been troubled by reports of marathoners suffering from heart attacks in the midst of a race. I’m not a runner and those 26.2 miles looks pretty grueling to me. Could running a marathon kill you?
That seems highly unlikely, according to a new report published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers studied the number of cardiac arrest cases in runners who took part in marathons and half marathons in the U.S. from Jan. 1, 2000, to May 31, 2010. Of the 10.9 million runners, only 59 suffered cardiac arrest.
That’s actually a tiny number, considering the overall number of marathoners. The researchers say cardiovascular disease accounted for the majority of the cardiac arrests. Male marathoners were the most likely victims.
But the study also says that the rate of cardiac arrests appears to be increasing as more and more people of all ages participate in marathons. Doctors disagree on whether marathon officials should require screening for runners but if you are considering one of these runs, the study shows that it might be a good idea to get checked and find out whether you have any underlying cardiovascular problems.
Do you run marathons?
Similar Posts:
- Palm Beach County hospitals use chilling vests to help cardiac arrest patients
- Resistance, endurance-training best for heart health
- Boomer Health: Furry ‘bandit’ steals runners’ hearts Video
- Want Better Sex? You need to exercise more
- Born to run: Barefoot? Minimalist training trend gaining popularity
Comments
No comments yet.