Assessment of Blood Pressure Levels and Left Ventricular Functions of American Football Players in Türkiye

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure, left ventricular (LV) mass, and systolic function in American football (AF) players in Türkiye using deformation imaging and to compare it with conventional echocardiographic methods. Methods: AF players admitted to the Gazi University, Cardiology Unit between January 2021 and May 2023 were included in our study. The players were grouped as linemen or non-linemen according to their field positions. LV mass and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed using blood pressure measurements and conventional methods. Deformation analysis was performed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and LV torsion and global longitudinal strain values were calculated. Deformation analyses were compared with blood pressure and LV EF. Results: Players in the lineman position had higher blood pressure measurements. Although both groups of players had similar and intact LV EF values, players in the lineman position had significant changes in LV mass, LV global longitudinal strain, and LV torsion in relation to blood pressure measurements. Conclusion: AF players are at risk of hypertension. LV hypertrophy due to hypertension causes systolic dysfunction. Deformation analysis methods can detect subclinical myocardial damage even if the EF is intact.