Early Cardiovascular Mortality in Professional Football Players: Fact or Fiction?

Heavier former NFL linemen show a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared to an age- and sex-matched reference population.

• Increased body weight in current NFL players is associated with rising concerns about cardiovascular health.
• Former linemen exhibit higher rates of obesity and lower levels of beneficial cholesterol.
• These former players also demonstrate increased left ventricular mass and left atrial area.
• Evidence suggests that the cardiometabolic syndrome is significantly more common in linemen compared to nonlinemen.
• Current heavier NFL players may already present markers of cardiometabolic syndrome, indicating the need for thorough medical evaluations.

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