Study Finds Heart Attacks Increase in Losing Team’s Town

Steelers and Packers fans have a lot riding on the game this weekend.

A new study suggests the emotional stress of the Super Bowl could be deadly.

Researchers studied heart attack rates in Los Angeles County after the Rams lost the 1980 Super Bowl.

“There was a 15% increase in cardiac death among men, there was also a 27% increase in cardiac death among women,” notes Dr. Robert A. Kloner.

Experts say fans can have an intense connection to their favorite team, leading to surges in adrenaline during big plays and big disappointments.

“This can increase heart rate, increase blood pressure, increase the vigor with which the heart contracts,” Dr. Kloner explains.

It turns out losing can be a real heart breaker.

“It’s actually a phenomenon that’s pretty well known among cardiologists that any type of stressful event can precipitate an increase in cardiovascular events,” says cardiologist Dr. Joon Lee.

Dr. Lee is not only a cardiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, he’s also a Steelers fan.

He says advances in heart attack treatment and prevention since the Rams loss may dampen the apparent physical impact of a Super Bowl defeat.

However, Dr. Lee says this game could be an exception.

“Considering how legendary the fan base is for both teams, in a sense, if there is such an effect it might be maximized for this Super Bowl,” he warns.

The study also found a decrease in heart attacks in Los Angeles after the Raiders won the 1984 Super Bowl, but that finding wasn’t as strong.

Experts say people with known heart conditions may want to take it easy during the game, and if they start to experience symptoms of a heart attack, turn the TV off!