Dr. Paul Thompson is the chief of cardiology at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and considered one of the leading experts today in the field of exercise cardiology.

As a life long marathon runner himself he has authored over 200 scientific articles on topics which include the effects of exercise training on preventing and treating heart disease, the risk of sudden death during exercise, the effects of statins on muscle function, and genetic factors affecting exercise response.

Dr. Thompson’s research and clinical interests in exercise originate from his personal interest in distance running.

In 1972 he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Eugene, Oregon and finished 16th in the Boston Marathon in 1976.

He has ran in nearly 30 Boston Marathons achieving a best of 2:28:25 and continued to put up great times throughout his life including 3:22:15 recently at age 62.

Dr. Thompson has also served as a television medical commentator for two Boston Marathons and five NYC Marathons and was a sports medicine analyst for NBC during the Summer Olympic Games in 1988.

In this episode Dr. Thompson shares his experience as both a runner and his extensive career in sports cardiology answering your questions about your heart and running including:

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• The real risks of participating in distance running training and races
  
• The part of the race you are most at risk of a cardiac event and what leads up to it
  
• Why you should consider learning CPR as a runner
  
• The warning signs you might be beginning to experience a cardiac event
  
• The impact of weather on risk of cardiac events
  
• Can caffeine put your heart at risk?
  
• How the length of your running history impacts your heart at any age
  
• What to do if you know you might be at greater risk of heart attack
  
• Aspirin and running
  
• Various diets for running and their effects on your heart
  
• A natural statin you can try to reduce your cholesterol
  
• Cardiac risk for specific populations including first time marathoners and ultrarunners
  
• Effects of excessive length of a single exercise session
  
• The effects of very hard, fast running on the heart
  
• Practical things you can do to monitor your heart before, during and after exercise
  

Learn the keys to successful long runs in preparation for a half or full marathon.