Churchill TW, Groezinger E, Kim JH, et al. - Researchers investigated the prevalence of aortic dilatation among long-term masters-level male and female athletes with about 2 decades of exercise exposure via performing a cross-sectional study evaluating aortic size among 442 athletes (mean age, 61 years; 267 men [60%]; 228 rowers [52%]; 214 runners [48%]). Ascending aortic size of 40 mm or larger was reported in 94 individuals (21%); this represents a marked increase in the prevalence of aortic dilatation compared with that predicted by established age- and gender-specific population nomograms. Per findings, aging endurance athletes had an elevated prevalence of aortic dilatation without clear explanatory risk factors. This indicates that long-term endurance exercise is correlated with aortic enlargement.