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To the Editor: In their study of cardiovascular risk factors in professional football players, Dr Tucker and colleagues¹ found a higher prevalence of hypertension compared with a group of similar-aged men in the general population. However, 3 factors need to be noted regarding the validity of the blood pressure measurement and whether an elevated blood pressure in this study represents a cardiovascular risk factor.

First, only 1 measurement of blood pressure was made, and the diagnosis of hypertension should only be made after repeated measurements.^2-3 Second, automated blood pressure measurement may be inaccurate in persons who have heavy musculature and large arm size.⁴ Third, the time of year the blood pressure was assessed may have influenced the measurement. The blood pressure was taken during mini-camps in the spring, and the training period (which includes periods of dehydration, large amounts of electrolyte repletion, and muscle pain) may not be the best . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Neil Coplan, MD
ncoplan@lenoxhill.net
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, New York

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Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among National Football League Players
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