Retired NFL players, notably linemen, have high risk of artery plaque, independent study shows
Retired NFL players may have a high risk of undiagnosed, untreated coronary artery disease (CAD) that often occurs without symptoms, according to new, independent, preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, held Nov. 6–9 in Chicago.
New research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 reveals that retired NFL players, particularly linemen, have a high risk of undiagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD). Nearly 9 out of 10 men in the study showed plaque build-up in their coronary arteries, with 4 in 10 having significant narrowing.
Despite this, almost none of them experienced symptoms prior to the scan, and less than a third were on cholesterol-lowering medications before the analysis. Study co-author Campbell Rogers, M.D., emphasized the striking gap between the amount of significant disease and the lack of symptoms in these former football players. Lead study author Dr. David Maron noted that participants were eager to take preventive action after seeing the plaque in their arteries, with nearly 90% expressing readiness to start treatment.
Dr. Michael Shapiro, a volunteer expert at the American Heart Association, emphasized that being a former elite athlete does not protect against coronary disease later in life, as plaque can accumulate for years without causing symptoms. He stressed the importance of monitoring cholesterol, blood pressure, and family history, and seeking treatment when needed.
However, the study's generalizability is limited due to voluntary enrollment and the absence of a control group.
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