Keep Them in the Game: Screening for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in Aging Athletes

Abstract

Purpose: This observational cross-sectional study of aging athletes aims to (1) compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in aging athletes to the general population, (2) describe anthropometric values of aging athletes, (3) investigate the influence of cardiovascular sport competition on these measures, and (4) address any predictive value of evaluated measures. Methods: Health and sport history, blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) were collected on 2351 aging athletes. Results: Aging athletes showed a significantly lower prevalence of CVD and diabetes than the general population. Athletes demonstrated BMI in the overweight range, WC in a healthy range, and waist-to-hip ratio in a healthy range for women but just over risk thresholds for men. Average blood pressure was near stage 1 hypertension. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were superior predictors of disease in the population. Cardiovascular athletes showed a lower disease risk and overall superior anthropometric values than other aging athletes. Conclusion: Aging athletes demonstrate a relatively low prevalence of CVD and diabetes despite demonstrating some anthropometric measurements over risk thresholds. Measures of central adiposity seem best for predicting disease in this population.