Coronary artery calcification and high-volume physical activity: role of lower intensity vs. longer duration of exercise

• Published in: European journal of preventive cardiology 2024-09, Vol.31 (12), p.1526-1534
• Main Authors: Pavlovic, Andjelka, DeFina, Laura F, Leonard, David, Radford, Nina B, Farrell, Stephen W, Barlow, Carolyn E, Shuval, Kerem, Berry, Jarett D, Levine, Benjamin D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Computed Tomography Angiography; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Artery Disease - epidemiology; Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Protective Factors; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior; Time Factors; Vascular Calcification - diagnostic imaging; Vascular Calcification - epidemiology
• ISSN: 2047-4873; 2047-4881; 2047-4881
• DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae150

Abstract Aims While high-volume physical activity (PA) has been linked to elevated coronary artery calcification (CAC), the role of intensity vs. duration of PA has not been investigated. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of intensity vs. duration of PA in relation to CAC. Methods and results Data are from 23 383 apparently healthy men who completed a PA questionnaire and underwent CAC scanning as part of a preventive examination. Self-reported PA was categorized into four groups of average intensity and weekly duration of PA [average intensity: 1, 3–5.9, 6–8.9, and 9–12 metabolic equivalents of task (METs); weekly duration: 0, > 0−