If being a rabid sports fan is bad for heart health as a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine states, I am in some serious trouble. It probably means I'm taking years off my life every time I pace the floor nervously praying for my Terps/Eagles/Phillies to win.
The study looked at German fans during the 2006 World Cup and found heart problems more than tripled for males and doubled for females. Factors such as the intensity of the game, the game's overall importance and how close the game was all play a role.
With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, I'd be curious to see if the number of stress-induced heart attacks increases. Millions of people watch the game. Advertisers pay millions of dollars for 30-second spots for that very purpose.
And what if you gamble your hard-earned money on the game? The study didn't specifically address sports gambling, but I wonder if it relates in anyway to the number of heart attacks that result. I can only imagine stress levels go up for people that have money riding on the game -- and lots of people do. Sports gambling is not uncommon.
What do you think? If you bet on the games are you super stressed or do you manage to keep a calm, cool demeanor no matter the outcome?
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