A public health announcement...

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.