Special Report: Heart Disease and Running

Running tends to have a protective effect from cardiovascular disease. But more runners die of heart disease than any other cause, and are susceptible to the same risk factors as sedentary people. I know of a number of runners who have suffered heart attacks and strokes who probably could have prevented them if they had taken a few simple tests.

Your heart is the most important organ in your body. This short section is offered as a guide to help you take charge over your heart health, the most important organ for longevity, and quality of life. As always, you need to get advice about your individual situation from a cardiologist who knows you and specializes in this area.

Risk Factors—get checked if you have two of these—or one that is serious

•	Family History
•	Poor lifestyle habits earlier in life
•	High fat/high cholesterol diet
•	Have smoked—or still smoke
•	Obese or severely overweight
•	High blood pressure/High cholesterol
Tests
•	Stress Test—heart is monitored during a run that gradually increases in difficulty.
•	C reactive Protein—has been an indicator of increased risk.
•	Heart scan—an electronic scan of the heart which shows calcification, and possible narrowing of arteries.
•	Radioactive dye test—very effective in locating specific blockages. Talk to your doctor about this.
•	Carotid ultrasound test—helps to prevent stroke.
•	Ankle-brachial test—plaque builup in arteries through- out the body.

None of these are fool proof. But by working with your cardiologist, you can increase your chance of living until the muscles just won’t propel you further down the road—past the age of 100.