Heart-Related Conditions to Watch Out for a Football Player

Cardiovascular and respiratory health are critical for athletes who exert tremendous physical effort during practice and games. 

Even superathletes like football players may experience rare conditions like mesothelioma, an asbestos-related respiratory cancer. 

For instance, Merlin Olsen, a well-known football celebrity and actor, developed mesothelioma supposedly due to asbestos exposure. You can visit the Mesothelioma Group site to learn more about this disease’s causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Meanwhile, heart disease may be a more common health problem among football players than other athletes.

A 2019 Journal of the American Medical Association study showed that NFL (National Football League) athletes may have a higher risk of developing diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, than MLB (Major League Baseball) players.

What heart conditions do football players typically face? What can these athletes do to prevent or manage heart health issues? Which football players had medical conditions like mesothelioma?

This article lists and explains common heart conditions in football players. Readers may also find this write-up helpful in determining ways football players can avoid or address heart disorders.

Heart Health Issues in Football Players

​As indicated above, while professional athletes are usually in peak condition, they are not immune to, and may even be at a higher risk for, potentially harmful heart conditions later in life.

​Research from Tulane University indicated that former NFL athletes, specifically those with largerbodies, have heart abnormalities related to high blood pressure.

​Another 2009 study from Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach journal noted that 82% of 233 retired NFL athletes under the age of 50 had abnormal blockages and narrowing in their arteries compared to the overall population of the same age group.

​A 2012 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health survey, also known as NIOSH, showed that NFL players have a relatively low risk of dying from heart disease compared to the general population.

However, the report also noted that specific players may have a higher risk of dying from heart disorders. Here are some of their observations:

● Athletes with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher were twice as likely as other players to die from heart disease during their playing years.

● African American athletes had a 69% higher risk of heart disorder-related death than Caucasian players.

● Compared to men in the overall population, defensive linemen had a 42% higher risk of dying from heart disorders. Eight of the forty-one defensive linemen who died from heart disease had cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathy is a broad term for conditions affecting the heart muscle in which the heart’s chamber walls become swollen, thickened, or stiffened.

​The information above suggests that football players are also susceptible to many heart-related conditions and may have a higher risk of experiencing or dying from them due to the physical nature of the athletes’ work.

Paul Duncan, a former Notre Dame offensive lineman, and Sam Bruce, a former Miami Hurricanes wide receiver, were among the most notable and recent football players who died due to cardiac arrest.

How Football Athletes Can Address Heart Conditions While Training

Professional athletes have unique physical features and needs compared to an average individual. 

Larger-sized men are necessary for some football positions, like linemen. These individuals may have a higher body fat percentage during their playing years. Still, their exercise regimen allows them to keep adding muscle.

However, activity levels typically decline when athletes retire or stop playing due to injury. The body fat percentage may rise due to this inactivity, placing strain on the players’ hearts.

It may be challenging for players to exercise frequently due to their injuries sustained while playing football. However, it’s still crucial that they stay active to reach or maintain a healthy weight.

In addition, avoiding smoking, eating healthy foods, and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are critical.

Awareness is also a critical aspect of maintaining heart health, so if you’re a football athlete, you may want to know the following heart disease symptoms:

● Bloating of the abdomen

● Abnormal heart rhythm or palpitations in the heart (the heart races or pounds suddenly)

● Dizziness or fainting

● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

● Fatigue

● Swelling of legs

You may also experience pain or discomfort in your jaw, stomach, neck, upper back, and chest pain that may feel heavy or as if someone is squeezing your heart.

You may also be qualified to participate in a medical screening program for former NFL players. This initiative is known as the Cardiovascular Screening Program of the NFL Player Care Foundation. 

The program offers a comprehensive assessment and information on heart health. Any NFL player who played a down is welcome to participate in this program.

Despite being rare, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the most common medical causes of death in young athletes. 

You should inform your physician of your heart health-related concerns. They can help you create and implement a focused plan for maintaining or enhancing your cardiovascular health.