Marathons "Too Much of a Good Thing"?

89-year-old Jenny Wood Allen is the world's oldest marathon runner, having taken up her hobby at the ripe old age of 71. While this could be seen as a good advert for the health benefits of running marathons, two new studies reveal the sport could increase the risk of heart attack.

Researchers at the McLean University in Belmont, Massachusetts studied participants in the Boston Athletic Association Marathons between 1996 and 2001. After finishing, runners showed increased levels of C-reactive protein, associated with heart disease risk and von Willebrand factor that causes blood clotting and is often released after heart attack.

A second study of 82 runners in Boston Marathons showed increased levels of several chemicals associated with heart injury.

Dr Arthur J Siegel, leading the study advised that anyone with high blood pressure or other chronic conditions should probably avoid marathon events. Healthy individuals should also be aware of the hidden risks of the sport.

Thursday, 1 November 2001