Take action to avoid stress during sporting events

Can the Super Bowl give you a heart attack?

Watching sports can, in fact, stress the heart. But that doesn't mean you need to stop.

Several studies suggest that watching exciting sports events can worsen heart problems, at least temporarily. A study from China presented at the most recent American Heart Association meeting showed that men who had suffered heart attacks were more likely to show signs of reduced blood flow to the heart (ischemia) and activated blood clotting when they were watching exciting Olympic events instead of other entertainment programs.

And spikes in heart attack rates have been seen in soccer fans after World Cup matches or penalty shoot-outs.

Another issue is that people having heart problems often wait until the game ends before going to the hospital for evaluation. Physicians in emergency departments always expect a surge in visits right after the end of the Super Bowl and other huge sporting events. Some folks come in with heart attacks that caused more damage than they should have because the patient delayed seeking help right away. It's conceivable that some people don't reach the hospital alive because they delayed calling 911 while awaiting the outcome of the game.

My advice: Go ahead and watch a game, but be sure you take your medications as usual that day. Go easy on the amount of salty food and alcohol you consume. If you have any chest pressure, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness, get to the emergency department quickly.

And if you are getting upset because your team is losing, close your eyes, breathe slowly and say over and over, "Wait till next year. Wait till next year."