What is the Cardiovascular Health Screening Program?
The NFL Player Care Cardiovascular Health Screening Program offers retired NFL players free cardiovascular evaluations and education at events across the country. The program provides advanced medical screening that includes the following elements:
- Medical History Questionnaire
- General Health Assessment
- Cardiovascular Function Evaluation
- Sleep Apnea Risk Assessment
Each screening participant receives an individualized, confidential report summarizing his clinical results and risk profile for cardiovascular disease. The report also identifies areas of concern that the player may share with his preferred healthcare provider.
Who is eligible for the Cardiovascular Health Screening Program?
All former NFL players, whether vested or not, are eligible to participate in the program. Players are eligible to receive one cardiovascular health screen at any age and a repeat screen every five years afterwards.
What are the benefits?
In the years following retirement, former NFL players may see their health decline due to a decrease in daily physical activity. This may result in weight gain and the associated health risks, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Players are encouraged to attend a free cardiovascular health screening to assess and actively manage their heart health. The program provides recommendations for further care based on a thorough medical evaluation. A healthy heart is central to maintaining optimum physical performance levels, as well as a long, healthy life.
How do Players apply?
A player interested in the Cardiovascular Health Screening Program should choose a convenient screening event from the list below and contact the associated screening group (Living Heart Foundation or Boone Heart Institute) to register for a screening day and time. Soon after you sign up, a representative of the screening group will call you to collect information on your medical history and details about your screening appointment. They will discuss the process and answer any questions you may have. They will then mail/email you a confirmation of your upcoming cardiovascular screening appointment.
What to expect on the day of the screening
To obtain accurate lab results from blood tests, you should not eat breakfast on the day of the screening. Once you arrive at the screening location, you will check in and receive an ID number that will be associated with all of your screening tests. A representative of the screening group will direct you to each of the screening stations. Because you have fasted, the blood draw station will be one of the first screening stations you will visit. Food will be provided following your blood draw.
Cardiovascular Screening Elements
- Medical History Questionnaire: This questionnaire will ask about your medical history, nutrition, sleep, and other lifestyle habits so that we can better understand your risk for heart disease and stroke.
- General Health Assessment: This portion will include the following.
- Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat and composition
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Blood tests
- Cardiovascular Function Evaluation: Your cardiovascular function will be tested with the following tests: Electrocardiogram (ECG) Echocardiogram (ECHO) Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) Computer tomography (CT) scan of coronary arteries (if >40 years old)
- Sleep Apnea Risk Assessment: Your sleep apnea risk will be determined by your sleep habits portion of the medical history questionnaire and physical exam.
Cardiovascular Screening Report
Each player will received an individualized summary report along with findings from the specific tests. This information is used to develop a player’s risk profile for cardiovascular disease and should be shared by the player with their family and preferred healthcare provider. If a player needs help to identify a local healthcare provider or specialist, the Player Care Foundation will assist him.