We were grateful for a spur-of-the moment chance to share some quick facts about Marfan syndrome with a call-in to New York City-based WFAN Sports Radio this morning. Amid a pop-culture discussion of physical features of Marfan, how it may impact athletes especially in football, and historical figures who may or may not have had the condition, we shared the known risks of contact sports. “Boomer and Gio” is a top-rated radio, television, and streaming show, featuring former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason and co-host Gregg Giannotti.
April Dawn Shinske, the Foundation’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, offered information on-air about Marfan to WFAN’s global audience. Most importantly, she pointed out that people living with Marfan syndrome are generally advised to avoid contact sports like football due to a roughly 250x greater risk of aortic dissection than that of the general population.
Listen here:
Physical activity is important for people living with Marfan syndrome and related conditions, and a topic of increasing discussion and study within the scientific community. (Every individual is different; always seek expert medical advice from providers familiar with your individual medical needs before engaging in physical activity.)
The Foundation offers physical activity guidelines to help everyone better understand health and safety issues when it comes to exercise and Marfan syndrome. Likewise, the recently updated American Heart Association pediatric aortopathy statement — co-authored by members of the Foundation’s Professional Advisory Board — offers updated guidance to help more kids living with Marfan enjoy additional safe physical activity. You can better understand the scientific statement by reviewing this summary and Top Things to Know from AHA. Read the full statement in AHA’s Circulation journal.
To hear the full on-air discussion of 3/4/2025, you can listen here (beginning around time stamp 8:15): WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM/66AM New York – The home to talk New York sports. – LISTEN LIVE | Audacy
The Marfan Foundation is a nonprofit organization that saves lives and improves the quality of life of individuals with genetic aortic and vascular conditions including Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Our vision is a world in which everyone with genetic aortic and vascular conditions can live their best life.