NFL Linemen Predisposed to Cardiovascular Disease; Early Detection is Key to Getting and Staying Healthy
January 31 2008 - 1:49PM
PR Newswire (US)
Tackling Heart Disease: Siemens Healthcare Kicks off Sponsorship of
Living Heart Foundation to Aid Retired NFL Players PHOENIX, Jan. 31
/PRNewswire/ -- Retired National Football League (NFL) linemen --
generally the heaviest players -- are more than twice as likely as
the general population to have a syndrome that puts them at risk of
heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular (CV) diseases,
according to a recent study by the Living Heart Foundation (LHF).
Key to addressing these conditions successfully, however, is early
intervention, including diagnostic health screening. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )
Ultrasound is one of the most widely used and accepted forms of
diagnostic imaging to evaluate and diagnose cardiovascular disease.
Its most common applications include assessing diseases of the
heart valves, finding abnormal blood flow patterns and detecting a
thickening of the heart walls. To help draw attention to heart
disease and the specific cardiovascular challenges of athletes,
Siemens today announces a year-long partnership with the Living
Heart Foundation. Siemens is kicking off the sponsorship by loaning
three ACUSON Sequoia(TM) ultrasound systems to LHF's annual Super
Bowl CV screening event, taking place this year on Thursday,
January 31 through Friday, February 1 in Scottsdale, Ariz. More
than 60 former NFL players, including Paul Warfield and Marv
Fleming of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins, and Hall of Famers
Harry Carson and Merlin Olson, will be participating in the
screenings. "Professional athletes, who often make their living
related to being big and strong, tend to suffer in retirement from
the side effects of being so large, including heart disease, sleep
apnea, diabetes, high cholesterol and the Metabolic Syndrome," said
Archie Roberts, M.D., founder and director of the Living Heart
Foundation, as well as a former NFL quarterback. "Curiously, this
health profile is not unlike that of an increasing number of large
men and women in our general population." "Fortunately, with early
intervention, including diagnostic imaging, athletes can take
proactive steps to curb these conditions. We are extremely grateful
to Siemens for providing the equipment to help these athletes
receive the best testing possible for identifying heart-related
problems," says Dr. Roberts, a former heart surgeon. The LHF seeks
to draw attention to the cardiovascular risks found among
professional athletes, especially football players, with large body
mass. During screenings, players receive a series of tests,
including electrocardiograms, cardiac and carotid artery
ultrasounds, blood tests, body mass composition, as well as other
analyses. "Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America
today, and Siemens has a long-standing interest in helping those at
risk to identify the early warning signs and take appropriate
action," said Klaus Hambuechen, Chief Executive Officer,
Ultrasound, Siemens Medical Solutions. "We are proud to support the
Living Heart Foundation and its screening efforts with these
professional athletes who are often susceptible to heart disease."
Siemens will be supplying LHF with three ACUSON Sequoia ultrasound
systems, to be shipped to each location that conducts the heart
screenings throughout the year. With over 12,000 units installed,
the ACUSON Sequoia platform is one of Siemens' most popular and
comprehensive systems. The technology provides clinicians with
advanced capabilities for performing cardiac mechanics studies,
intracardiac echocardiography, and vascular applications. About
Siemens Healthcare Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest
suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned
medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative
strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in
knowledge engineering, including information technology and system
integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens
Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company,
bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and
healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by
consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers
solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention
and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company
employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130
countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare
reported sales of euro 9.85 billion, orders of euro 10.27 billion,
and group profit of euro 1.32 billion. Further information can be
found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare CONTACT:
Amanda Naiman of Siemens Healthcare, +1-610-448-4531, Web site:
http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical
http://www.siemens.com/healthcare
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