AUTOPSY-PROVED CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN MARATHON RUNNERS

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. © 1979, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.