Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Among Former National Football League Players.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, but prevalence estimates in former professional athletes are limited.

Objectives: HUDDLE (Heart Health: Understanding and Diagnosing Disease by Leveraging Echocardiograms) aimed to raise awareness and estimate the prevalence of CVD and associated risk factors among members of the National Football League (NFL) Alumni Association and their families through education and screening events.

Methods: HUDDLE was a multicity, cross-sectional study of NFL alumni and family members aged 50 years and older.