Association between physical activity and coronary artery calcification estimated by computed tomography: A systematic review

Background

The relationship between physical activity and coronary artery calcification (CAC) was evaluated in different studies during the last years, although the results were conflicting.

Objective

The main objective of the present systematic review was to assess the association between different levels of physical activity and CAC score estimated by computed tomography (CT).

Methods

This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed to detect studies that evaluated the association between physical activity and CAC score. The levels of physical activity evaluated were those reported by the original publications. The CAC score was estimated by CT and was reported in Agatston units.

Results

Twenty six studies including 89,405 subjects were considered eligible for this research. The studies developed in the general population showed different results regarding the association between physical activity and CAC score: no association (7 studies), a positive association (4 studies), an inverse relationship (6 studies), a U-shaped relationship (2 studies), or different results depending on the subgroup evaluated (2 studies). In the largest studies, a positive association was observed. When we analyzed the studies that evaluated athletes, four studies showed a positive association between exercise intensity and CAC.

Conclusion

This systematic review showed disparate results regarding the association between physical activity and CAC score. The largest studies and most studies developed in athletes suggest that intense physical activity could be associated with high CAC score, although this hypothesis should be confirmed in future research.