Heart Attacks Skyrocket During Big Games
Football can kill fans. Literally.
The smoking gun: Sudden heart-attack deaths went up 60% during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Swiss researchers report.
OK, OK, so it's not real football -- to Americans. It's soccer. But it sure sounds familiar. Here's Eugène Katz, MD, of Vaudois University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland:
"We interpret [the fatal heart attacks to be the result of] an increase in mental stress, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and decreased medical observance and physical activity of football supporters."
In other words, during the playoffs football fans watch far too much TV, drink and smoke too much, get way too little exercise, and basically ignore doctors' orders. Who says European football and American football aren't alike?
And there's yet another similarity. Most of the football-linked heart attacks were in men.
The data comes from emergency responders in major Swiss cities. Katz gathered data from the 2002 FIFA World Cup playoffs and compared it to data from the same period in 2001. He reported the findings at this week's meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.
Playoff Protection
Like any good sports story, this one has a moral. Katz says people at risk of heart attacks -- and their families -- should know that stereotypical football watching isn't healthy. Some tips:
Obviously, all that smoking and drinking and eating can't be good. Gentlemen: Moderation, please.
Before, between, and/or after each game, get some exercise. Do more than walk to the beer cooler. Take the dog for a couple of laps around the block. Play catch with the kids. Get out a football and show your buddies what you've got.
Don't forget to take the drugs your doctor prescribes. And forbidden foods remain taboo, even during big games.
Know the signs of a heart attack. If you have early symptoms, don't wait to call for help. According to The Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of a heart attack include:
Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm
Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/73/88837.htm
Football can kill fans. Literally.
The smoking gun: Sudden heart-attack deaths went up 60% during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Swiss researchers report.
OK, OK, so it's not real football -- to Americans. It's soccer. But it sure sounds familiar. Here's Eugène Katz, MD, of Vaudois University Hospital Center, Lausanne, Switzerland:
"We interpret [the fatal heart attacks to be the result of] an increase in mental stress, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and decreased medical observance and physical activity of football supporters."
In other words, during the playoffs football fans watch far too much TV, drink and smoke too much, get way too little exercise, and basically ignore doctors' orders. Who says European football and American football aren't alike?
And there's yet another similarity. Most of the football-linked heart attacks were in men.
The data comes from emergency responders in major Swiss cities. Katz gathered data from the 2002 FIFA World Cup playoffs and compared it to data from the same period in 2001. He reported the findings at this week's meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.
Playoff Protection
Like any good sports story, this one has a moral. Katz says people at risk of heart attacks -- and their families -- should know that stereotypical football watching isn't healthy. Some tips:
Obviously, all that smoking and drinking and eating can't be good. Gentlemen: Moderation, please.
Before, between, and/or after each game, get some exercise. Do more than walk to the beer cooler. Take the dog for a couple of laps around the block. Play catch with the kids. Get out a football and show your buddies what you've got.
Don't forget to take the drugs your doctor prescribes. And forbidden foods remain taboo, even during big games.
Know the signs of a heart attack. If you have early symptoms, don't wait to call for help. According to The Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of a heart attack include:
Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm
Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/73/88837.htm
