Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Neck circumference is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in retired National Football League players.

Pokharel Y, Macedo FY, Nambi V, Martin SS, Nasir K, Wong ND, Boone J, Roberts AJ, Ballantyne CM, Virani SS. Neck circumference is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in retired National Football League players. Clinical Cardiology. 2014 Jul 1; 37(7):402-7.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Neck circumference (NC) is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population. It is not known if NC is associated with MetS and subclinical atherosclerosis in retired National Football League (NFL) players. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that NC is associated with MetS and subclinical atherosclerosis (assessed as coronary artery calcium [CAC] and carotid artery plaque [CAP]) in retired NFL players. METHODS: NC was measured midway between the midcervical spine and midanterior neck in 845 retired NFL players. CAC presence was defined as total CAC score > 0. CAP was defined as carotid plaque of at least 50% greater than that of the surrounding vessel wall, with a minimal thickness of at least 1.2?mm on carotid ultrasound. Logistic regression analysis was used for the association of NC with CAC or CAP. RESULTS: Of the participants, 21% had MetS. CAC and CAP were present in 62% and 56%, respectively. Those with MetS had a higher median NC than those without MetS (17 vs 16 inches, P < 0.0001). NC was not associated with the presence of CAC or CAP in an unadjusted model and after adjusting for age, race, and cardiometabolic risk factors (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-1.31 for CAC; OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.82-1.12 for CAP per 1-standard deviation increase in NC [3.8 inches]). The results were similar when the predictor variable was NC indexed to body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In retired NFL players with a high prevalence of CAC and CAP, NC was not associated with coronary or carotid subclinical atherosclerosis. NC may not be the most appropriate risk marker for atherosclerosis.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.