Study Higher heart attack risk to WM

Football World Cup as a cause of a heart attack

05/28/2014

Health risk Football World Cup? According to the German Heart Foundation, the likelihood of a heart attack is increasing significantly in the course of World Cup football championships. Millions of football fans around the world will cheer on during the World Cup, exposing their cardiovascular system to increased stress.

For cardiac patients, the emotional stress of exciting football matches in „to turn a life-threatening situation“, reports the German Heart Foundation. „In the worst case, it leads to a heart attack or to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias“, As shown by an examination of 4,279 patients in the Munich area during the 2006 Football World Cup in Germany. The study under the guidance. Dr. med. Ute Wilbert lamps from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich have revealed that the number of heart attacks „significantly increased during the World Cup on the seven matchdays of the German team.“

Blood pressure and pulse rise
In particular, patients with known coronary heart disease (CHD) were at increased risk during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Overall, be „more than twice as likely to have a heart attack on national team matches“ In patients with known pre-existing conditions (coronary heart disease), the number of cardiac emergencies was four times higher than in the control group, reports the German Heart Foundation. In general, the blood pressure and pulse rise during exciting game scenes, which is not a problem for all football fans. Although healthy people, for example, in a dramatic penalty shootout symptoms, but bring this no further physical discomfort. „A person with a healthy heart can not normally experience a heart attack or a sudden cardiac death, even though the game is so exciting, just because of the excitement of watching a soccer game”, emphasized Professor med. Thomas Meinertz, Chairman of the German Heart Foundation.

Increased cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks
However, the emotional stress, according to the German Heart Foundation „in certain pre-existing diseases of the cardiovascular system quickly to cardiac arrhythmias or other heart problems - in extreme cases, even to heart attack or sudden cardiac death“ to lead. For example, the CHD patients are threatened with the formation of small tears on the previously damaged vessel walls due to a strong increase in blood pressure and the release of stress hormones. It follows the formation of blood clots, which in turn lead to obstruction of the coronary arteries and thus can cause a heart attack. Furthermore, cardiac arrhythmias are possible, which can occur in the case of a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle and, in extreme cases, lead to fatal ventricular fibrillation.

Take precautions to the World Cup
To minimize the risk of a heart attack during the World Cup, the German Heart Foundation advises on various precautions. This includes, among other things, a review of the current medication by the doctor. Professor Meinertz recommends, if necessary „increase the beta-blocker dose before the game and take nitrospray early in the case of acute onset angina pectoris.“ Also, patients who respond to emotional stress more often with physical stress symptoms in the form of angina pectoris, preventatively sucking Isosorbiddinitrat. „Its effect lasts up to four hours“, Meinertz continues. Exceptionally „in very restless and agitated patients“ to think about the preventive use of a sedative.

The World Cup as a health risk
From a naturopathic point of view, relaxation techniques such as Autogenic Training and Progressive Muscle Relaxation are available for coping with stress during the football World Cup. However, the World Cup is often a challenge for the body from other points of view. Many football fans show a significantly increased alcohol consumption during the World Cup and with the snacks to the game an increased fat intake. Also, smokers often tend to cigarettes in the face of tension. Ultimately, therefore, the start of the World Cup on June 12 brings some health risks, but the possible cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks are considered to be the most serious health risk. (Fp)