Patients who exercise hard and frequently are likely to have higher coronary artery calcium scores that increase faster over time than patients who are inactive, a large study shows.

The findings suggest a dose-response effect of exercise on plaque calcification, the researchers say.

The South Korean cohort study included nearly 25,500 people without CVD aged over 30 (mean age 42, 89% male) who had two or more coronary artery calcium (CAC) measurements as part of regular health screening in two cities between 2011 and 2017.

Patients had filled in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form which enabled the researchers to classify them as being inactive (47%), moderately active (38%), or doing a “health-enhancing” level of physical exercise (15%).