Do you run frequently? Do you participate in a lot of races over the course of the year, some of which are huge and others little? As the strain of lengthy runs may occasionally result in heart-related problems, causing individuals to pass out during a race, experience cardiac arrest, and feel unwell, it is of utmost importance that you take care of your heart health.

Dr. Alok Chopra, a cardiologist and functional medicine specialist, spoke about preventative strategies that runners may adopt to prevent any heart health problems from occurring as a result of the physical stress of a lengthy run in a video he shared last December.

Why should runners prioritize their heart health?

"Your heart health should always be a priority, whether you're an experienced marathoner or just beginning out," Dr. Chopra said, emphasizing the significance of heart health care. It's important to be knowledgeable about your cardiovascular health, regardless of your age.

Additionally, the cardiologist advised people to get regular tests to determine the health of their heart. "To keep your heart in check, avoid risks, and ensure you're performing at your best, consider a CT angiogram and a thallium test at least once a year, depending on your age and other factors," Dr. Chopra suggested.

In addition, he recommended, "If you're just starting out, make sure you're trained well—at least 6 to 12 months—before you take on any big races. Stay proactive, stay healthy!"

What is calcium scoring, thallium testing, and CT angiography?

In the video, Dr. Chopra's first piece of advice is that you must prepare for runs. He cautioned that specific tests are now required because even younger individuals are susceptible to heart attacks.

Angiogram of the CT

A CT angiogram, according to the cardiologist, reveals the location of the obstruction, regardless of whether it is at the beginning or conclusion of the artery. "Regrettably, it does not reveal if it is impeding blood flow. Nevertheless, the CT angiogram provides a bird's-eye perspective on whether there is a blockage or not, he said.

"The second thing it tells you is about calcium scoring. From these two facts, we may conclude if someone should be running or not, even if it doesn't tell us if it's interfering with their blood circulation, the cardiologist said.

Thallium test

Another technique for identifying a blockage in blood flow is the thallium test. “In this test, we put someone on a treadmill or give them some medicine that revs up the heart—say, one milligram for one minute, two milligrams for two minutes. We continue until we reach 75 to 85% of the target heart rate, at which point we stop. We can tell that someone is healthy if their heart is beating effectively. We halt if there is even the tiniest blip, according to Dr. Chopra.

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