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A few studies have shown a heightened risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) in high-intensity endurance athletes. The current researchers compared AF risk in a self-selected group of former National Football League (NFL) players who agreed to participate in cardiac screening as part of the NFL Players Care Foundation Healthy Body and Mind Screening Program and in men from the Dallas Heart Study (DHS), which was chosen because of racial diversity (mean ages: NFL, 56; DHS, 54; black race, 46% and 53%, respectively).
AF was present in 23 of 460 NFL retirees (5.0%) and in 5 of 925 DHS participants (0.5%). AF predictors in the NFL group included larger left atrial volume, higher body-mass index, and white race. After adjustment for standard risk fact…