Autopsy-Proved Coronary Atherosclerosis in Marathon Runners

Abstract

THE relation between coronary-artery disease and marathon running is controversial. In 1961, the Journal published an article in which Currens and White discussed the autopsy findings on "Mr. Marathon"; the diameter of the coronary arteries was described as two to three times normal, and there was only minimal atherosclerosis.¹ This description was adduced in support of the contention that athletes capable of covering the marathon distance (42 km, or 26.2 miles) are immune to coronary atherosclerosis.^{2 , 3} Two recent autopsy reports on marathon runners appear to support this hypothesis: in one, fatal myocardial infarction developed but the coronary arteries were normal . . .