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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
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Aortic Diameters and Calcifications in Former World-Class Cyclists
Pedro L Valenzuela, Alicia Maceira1, Alejandro Santos-Lozano
1Ascires Grupo Biomédico, Valencia, SPAIN.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|June 15, 2023
Summary
Former professional cyclists have larger aortic diameters and a slightly higher prevalence of aortic calcifications, but not pathological dilation. Active older athletes show more pronounced aortic changes compared to inactive ones.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Athletes, especially older ones, may face increased risks of pathological aortic dilation.
- The prevalence of aortic calcifications in former professional athletes is not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare thoracic aorta dimensions, distensibility, and calcification prevalence in former male professional cyclists versus controls.
- To investigate potential links between long-term intense exercise and aortic health.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study design.
- Cases: former male professional cyclists (Grand Tour finishers).
- Controls: untrained, age/sex-matched individuals.
- Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging for aortic assessment.
Main Results:
- Cyclists exhibited larger aortic dimensions (annulus, sinus, arch, ascending/descending aorta) than controls (P < 0.05).
- No participants showed pathological aortic dilation (<40 mm).
- Slightly higher ascending aorta calcification in cyclists (13% vs 0%).
- Active master cyclists had larger aortic diameters and more calcifications than inactive former cyclists.
Conclusions:
- Former professional cyclists, particularly active masters, present with enlarged aortic diameters within normal limits.
- A slightly increased prevalence of ascending aorta calcifications was observed in cyclists.
- Aortic distensibility remained unaffected, suggesting no compromise in vascular function.
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