Long-distance runners can drop dead usually in the middle of a run, from fatal heart attacks. In 2010, three runners died at the 32nd Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon. Their ages were 26, 36 and 65.
Statistics from The US Registry of Sudden Death in Athletes show that about 14 percent of athlete deaths are linked to heart problems. Even though exercise reduces your cardiovascular risk by a factor of three, too much vigorous exercise, such as marathon running, increases your cardiac risk by seven.
According to Healthier:
“That’s because the further you run, the more stress you put on your body … [L]ong duration exercise releases chemicals that flood your body. And that leads to inflammation … If you have hidden heart problems, this can be seriously risky.”
[Source]
Chapter: Health :: 14 June 2011
