Background and Aims

To compare arterial wall elasticity in Greek soccer athletes with and without family history (FH) of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

Arterial wall elasticity was determined indirectly by Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) using an electronic device (BPULS apparatus) which recorded the left external carotid artery pulse as “central point” and left dorsalis pedis artery pulse as “peripheral point” simultaneously with a single lead ECG. A shorter time delay between the two recorded pulses indicates decreased arterial wall elasticity.

Sixty-six clinically asymptomatic Greek soccer players (aged 15-30 yrs.) were studied. All had normal BP, ECG, hematocrit, blood sugar and lipids. Twenty-eight (42.42%) had FH of CVD and 38 ( 57.58%) had no FH of CVD.

Results

For all subjects PWV time range - 0.11 to 0.22 sec. Those with FH of CVD - 0.11 to 0.18 sec. (Mean - 0.14875 sec.) and those without FH - 0.15 to 0.22 sec. (Mean - 0.18881 sec.) Difference between the two mean values - 0.04 sec. which is statistically significant - p value <0.001 (linear progression model).

Conclusions

Arterial wall elasticity is decreased in Greek soccer athletes with positive FH of CVD as shown by faster time of PWV making them more prone to develop CVD, so this group should be observed and monitored very closely and if necessary subjected to more specialized cardiovascular examinations.

Since all our subjects exercise vigorously it may also be concluded that heredity is a stronger risk factor than sedentary way of life in the development of CVD.