Lifestyle Risk Factors Predict Coronary Calcification among Male Endurance Athletes

Atherosclerosis in 'extreme exercisers' also depends on family history, diet, and other lifestyle components.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a measure of atherosclerosis and a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease. While CAC is typically associated with traditional risk factors such as age, hypertension, and smoking, paradoxically elevated CAC scores have been observed in male endurance athletes despite their otherwise healthy profiles. This has raised c…