Blood vessels in first-time marathon runners could regain some elasticity as participants train for the big race, according to new research in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Even a training regimen designed for novice runners who completed the London Marathon in slower-than-average time was enough to drop their blood pressure and improve the health of a vital artery near their hearts.
Like the rest of our bodies, blood vessels stiffen with age. This includes the aorta, a vessel sprouting from the heart that carries oxygenated blood to our muscles and organs. Decaying elasticity in the aorta has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease and even dementia.
Tests of the marathon participants showed their aortas had regained some flexibility, enough to look around four years younger than they were before. Surprisingly, older runners saw the most health improvements. “We were gratified to see that it’s possible to ...
