During Men’s Health Month, former Cincinnati Bengal Brad Cousino is speaking out about his participation in a study examining heart disease in retired athletes. Cousino, 73, is one of nearly 200 retired professional athletes participating in the GAMEFILM Registry, a nationwide study aimed at better understanding heart disease in former football, basketball, and hockey players.

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The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati is one of just 17 sites in the country, and the only hospital in Ohio, taking part in the research. According to Dr. Dean Kereiakes, chairman of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute, many former athletes are unaware of their risk for heart disease. Researchers say former football players face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population, with one in three former football players dying from cardiovascular disease, compared to one in five people overall.

Cousino’s experience with the study has been eye-opening, as he was able to see images of his heart and blood vessels, identifying potential problems. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can encourage other men, especially former athletes, to prioritize their health. The study aims to identify disease before patients experience symptoms and aggressively treat it to prevent serious complications.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.