 Congenital cardiovascular deaths are reported to occur disproportionately in African-American athletes.After age 35, acquired coronary artery disease predominates (80%), and this is true regardless of the athlete's former level of fitness.Cardiomyopathies are generally inherited as autosomal dominants, although recessive forms have been described, and dilated cardiomyopathy can also be inherited in an X-linked pattern.