What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Review. Population: Coronary artery disease. Intervention: High-intensity training.

What does this research mean for the field?

High-intensity training in male athletes is associated with increased coronary artery calcification, with coronary artery disease prevalence in middle-aged sportsmen ranging from 13.7% to 71%. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore the prevalence and factors contributing to coronary artery disease in male athletes.

July 10, 2026Journal of Clinical MedicineOpen Access

Coronary Artery Disease in Male Athletes—Is Sport Healthy in the Long Run?

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Key result

High-intensity training in male athletes linked to increased CAC and up to ~71% CAD prevalence.

Why the study?

The effects of high-intensity training on CV health are not unequivocal, and CAD remains a major cause of SCD in middle-aged athletes.

Does high-intensity training affect the risk and characteristics of coronary artery disease in male athletes?

Design

Review article

Authors

ZKZofia KampkaMedical University of Silesia MWMaciej WybraniecGórnośląskie Centrum Medyczne

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

High-intensity endurance training links to higher yet stable CAC in athletes; leaves open optimal screening and risk stratification.

Key Points

The aim is to explore the prevalence and factors contributing to coronary artery disease in male athletes.
Reviewed literature on coronary artery disease prevalence in athletes, ranging from 13.7% to 71%.
Discussed diagnostic methods such as medical history evaluation, electrocardiograms, and imaging tests.
Analyzed the impact of high-intensity training on coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular health.
Coronary artery disease is prevalent in middle-aged male athletes, posing risks of sudden cardiac death after age 30.
High-intensity training correlates with increased coronary artery calcification due to various physiological factors.
Most athletes show benign calcified atherosclerotic plaques and enhanced coronary vasodilatory capacity, reducing risk.

Structured PICO

Does high-intensity training affect the risk and characteristics of coronary artery disease in male athletes?

Population

Male athletes, particularly middle-aged sportsmen and endurance athletes engaging in high-intensity training

Exposure

High-intensity training / endurance sports

Outcome

Coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and sudden cardiac death (SCD)

While endurance athletes have increased coronary artery calcification, the plaques are mostly benign and athletes benefit from improved coronary vasodilatory capacity.

Cite This Study

Kampka et al. (2026) conducted a review in Coronary artery disease. High-intensity training was evaluated. High-intensity training in male athletes is associated with increased coronary artery calcification, with CAD prevalence in middle-aged sportsmen varying from 13.7% to 71%.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a508da76eeac72a437a114f https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15145329

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