Football heartbreak is all too real: Watching your team can be bad for your heart — but hugs make it better —scientists discover
- Experts at University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Germany did the study
- They found that blood pressure and heart rate soared during crucial games
- Readings stayed high for several hours after they watched the football matches
- Tests also revealed an increase in arterial stiffness- how rigid blood vessels are
Scientists have warned that watching your football team can be bad for the heart.
Experts at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Germany studied the hearts of 52 healthy men and 18 with known cardiovascular disease as they followed games played during last year’s Uefa European Championships – in which England lost in the final to Italy.
They found both groups of men saw their blood pressure and heart rate soar to dangerous levels during crucial games. Readings stayed high for several hours after the match.
Tests also revealed an increase in arterial stiffness – a measure of how rigid blood vessels are instead of being relaxed and stretchy.
Stiff arteries are a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Experts at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in Germany studied the hearts of 52 healthy men and 18 with known cardiovascular disease as they followed games played during last year’s Uefa European Championships – in which England lost in the final to Italy (stock image)
The findings, published in the latest edition of the research journal Life, support earlier studies that showed the stress of watching domestic or national football teams battle it out in big competitions can have drastic effects.
One 2019 investigation found fans were 29 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack, angina (chest pain) or stroke on match day – especially if their team lost.
However, the latest study is believed to be one of the first to track cardiovascular changes while fans are following a game.
Researchers warned: ‘Watching sporting events may trigger cardiovascular events by elevating emotional stress levels.
‘We found blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly and remained high afterwards.
‘Likewise, arterial stiffness was higher and also remained elevated.’
A separate study by Spanish scientists, published in Cardiology Research, has found heart-related hospital admissions among football fans jump by 30 per cent if their team loses at home – but fall by the same amount if they win away.
The thrill of the game can trigger an increase in levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Prolonged high levels of the hormone are known to narrow blood vessels, drive up blood pressure and damage an already weakened heart.
Some experts recommend fans hug each other more to relieve their stress and have called on stadiums to dim the lights and play soothing music after crunch games to calm fans’ nerves.
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