Research Highlights:
Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
This news release contains updated information not available in the abstract.
DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2026 — 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 to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 . The meeting, Nov. 6-9, in Chicago, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.
CAD occurs when cholesterol plaque deposits in the heart arteries, limiting blood flow to the heart and reducing oxygen delivery. Plaque buildup can lead to a heart attack.
“Nearly 9 out of 10 men in this study had plaque in their coronary arteries, 4 in 10 had a significant narrowing, and yet almost none of them experienced any symptoms, and prior to the scan less than a third were on statins to lower their cholesterol,” said study co-author
Campbell Rogers, M.D., chief medical officer at Heartflow, Inc, a medical technology company advancing noninvasive heart disease diagnosis through artificial intelligence. “These results are consistent with the fact that 1 in 3 former NFL players dies from heart disease.”
This study is believed to be the first assessment of coronary plaque in retired professional football players. It focused on 200 retired NFL players enrolled in the GAMEFILM Registry who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and Heartflow AI coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA) . The AI analysis creates a personalized, color-coded 3D model of heart arteries and measures plaque volume, type and impact on blood flow.
What are the study’s key findings?
“We expected to find plaque, but we did not expect to find such a striking gap between how much significant disease these former football players had and how few of them had any symptoms,” Rogers said. “It is a reminder of how poorly symptoms can track with what is actually happening inside a coronary artery.”
Lead study author David Maron, M.D., a paid consultant for Heartflow, noted that what is encouraging about the study is that participants were eager to take preventive action. “When participants could see the plaque in their arteries, they wanted to act — nearly 90% of those not already taking cholesterol-lowering medications before the analysis said they were ready to start treatment,” Maron said. “The good news is that when CAD is found early, it is very treatable, often with medication and lifestyle changes rather than a medical procedure.”
He said the next steps in research are to explore if willingness to act turns into treatment, lower cholesterol levels and results in fewer heart attacks.
Maron is the chief of the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University, however this research work was not part of his Stanford University duties or responsibilities.
American Heart Association volunteer expert Michael Shapiro, M.D., MPH, FAHA, said that being a former elite athlete does not protect you from coronary disease later in life.
“Plaque can build up in the artery walls for years without affecting blood flow enough to cause symptoms,” he said. “So, feeling fine does not necessarily mean the arteries are healthy. A plaque can also rupture and cause a clot and heart attack without much warning.”
Shapiro, who was not involved in the study, is chair of the Association’s ATVB & Lifestyle Clinical Lipidology, Lipoprotein, Metabolism & Thrombosis Committee.
While this study focused on former athletes, he noted that there is a message to the public.
“Everyone should pay attention to risk before symptoms appear,” said Shapiro, who is also director of the Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “You need to know your cholesterol, blood pressure and family history, and get treatment when it is needed.”
Study details, background, design and limitations:
Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the abstract.
Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association’s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here .
Additional Resources:
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.