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BP, vascular age improved in novice marathon runners
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Training for and running in a marathon led to improved central BP and aortic stiffness in first-time runners, particularly those who were older and less fit, according to findings presented at EuroCMR 2019.
Anish Bhuva, MBBS, MRCP, and colleagues assessed the effect of first-time marathon training on age-related increases in aortic stiffness.
“Novice runners who trained for 6 months and completed their first marathon had a 4-year reduction in arterial age and 4-mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure,” Bhuva, a British Heart Foundation Fellow at University College London, said in a press release. “This is comparable to the effect of medication, and if maintained, translates to approximately 10% lower risk of stroke over a lifetime.”
The researchers analyzed data from a cohort of untrained, healthy volunteers recruited before beginning training for the London Marathon.
Before training and after completion of the marathon, participants had central BP measured and underwent phase contrast 1.5 T cardiac MR in the ascending and descending thoracic aorta at two levels, Bhuva and colleagues wrote in an abstract.
The researchers measured aortic distensibility and beta-stiffness to derive biological aortic age before and after training.
The cohort consisted of 139 first-time marathon completers (aged 21-69 years; 50% men).
During the study period, central systolic BP decreased by 4 mm Hg (95% CI, 2.5-5.3) and central diastolic BP declined by 3 mm Hg (95% CI, 1.6-3.6), Bhuva and colleagues wrote.
Descending aortic distensibility increased for both the pulmonary artery bifurcation (9%; P = .009) and diaphragm (17%; P = .001) levels, the researchers wrote.
There was a decrease in biological aortic age at the pulmonary artery bifurcation (3.9 years; 95% CI, 1.1-7.5) and diaphragm (4.5 years; 95 %, 1.8-8.2) levels, Bhuva and colleagues wrote. Beta-stiffness decreased at the diaphragm level by 7% (P = .02).
Participants with slower marathon times (pulmonary artery bifurcation partial r = –0.2; P < .05) and older age had a greater increase in descending aortic distensibility with training, the researchers wrote.
“You don’t have to be an elite athlete to gain the benefits from marathon running; in fact, the benefits appeared greatest in those who were older and slower,” Bhuva said. “By completing training, and getting to the finish line, it is possible to rejuvenate the cardiovascular system of first-time marathon runners.” – by Earl Holland Jr.
Reference:
Bhuva A, et al. Young investigator award session. Presented at: EuroCMR 2019; May 2-4, 2019; Venice, Italy.
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.