Why the study?
Strenuous exertion transiently increases acute cardiac event risks, and marathon-related cardiac arrests have been increasing since 2000 predominantly in middle-aged men with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Does pre-race aspirin prevent marathon-related cardiac arrest in marathon runners?
Does pre-race aspirin prevent marathon-related cardiac arrest in marathon runners?
Pre-race aspirin may be beneficial for primary prevention of marathon-related cardiac arrest in runners identified as high-risk via coronary artery calcium scores and post-race cardiac biomarkers.
Marathon arrests rising in middle-aged men; hypothesis-generating for CAC and biomarker screening, needs prospective validation.
While increasing levels of recreational sports participation are incrementally cardioprotective, strenuous physical exertion transiently increases the risk for acute cardiac events including sudden death. The frequency of marathon-related cardiac arrests has been increasing since the year 2000 mainly in middle-aged men due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Coronary artery calcium scores and post-race cardiac biomarkers are recommended to identify runners who might benefit the most from pre-race aspirin for enhanced primary prevention.
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Arthur J. Siegel (2023) studied this question.
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