Being a regular runner does not decrease your risk of heart problems if you don't give up habits like drinking and smoking, a new study has found.
For the study, researchers examined 50 men who ran a combined total of 3,510 marathons, the Daily Mail reported. They examined their running routines, habits and health history.
Their goal was to determine if strenuous exercises would have any adverse affects on the participants or reduce their risk of the disease.
Researchers also scanned them for atherosclerosis, the build-up of fats, cholesterol and plaque in the artery walls. These things can cause heart disease and other health issues.
Data showed:
* 16 runners had no plaque in their arteries
* 12 - slight amounts
* 12 - moderate level
* 10 - large deposits
Researchers found running had no impact on how much plaque was in their arteries.
Compared to unhealthy eating and smoking, running also had not affect on heart health.
However, smoking and high cholesterol did lead to higher levels of plaque.
The study's findings were published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
