I have come across this article in both the Portland Press Herald, and in the German Suddeutsche Zeitung:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=166196&ac=PHnws
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/artikel/734/155329/
According to a new study, heart "problems" reported significantly increased during the 2006 world cup. This was particularly so during the big games. While I am thankful to not have any heart related problems myself (touch wood), I do understand why this might be occurring. From my experience, a tense game has my heart rate elevated significantly, particularly during a penalty shoot out, or in the dying moments of a close game.
Hmm, reflecting on the language of the last paragraph... dying, shoot-out, no wonder this game leads to heart attacks...
Anyway, here is what is recommended by the Press Herald for those big games:
CARDIAC-HEALTH ADVICEFOR THE RABID FOOTBALL FAN
TAKE medications as prescribed.
AVOID tobacco smoke and fatty meals.
GET plenty of sleep the night before the game.
DON’T over-exert yourself physically.
LIMIT yourself to one alcoholic drink for a woman and two for a man.
TRY “not to get too angry with the refs.”
FANS with heart conditions should keep their nitroglycerin and aspirin handy.
Source: Dr. Lori Mosca, director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Lori is clearly an understanding soul, as s/he realizes that we passionate ones can only "try" and not get mad at the ref.
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Perhaps this is an affliction primarily experienced by those who do not practice but only watch the game? The armchair sportsman has long seemed a paradoxical figure to me.
Perhaps the remedy is active participation in sport?
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