If you are a Kansas City Chiefs fan looking for a three-peat or a long-suffering Philadelphia Eagles fan (which is a bit redundant), you may be putting your heart into Super Bowl LIX. After all, this football game pits these two teams against each other in New Orleans on Sunday. But be careful about putting too much of you heart into the game. Too much stress can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, which could lead to all sorts of problems including heart attacks and stroke.
Indeed, after the Los Angeles Rams lost the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980, circulatory death rates seemed to increase significantly, according to a study published in 2009 in the American Journal of Cardiology. In fact, American football fans may be at greater risk of suffering heart problems in general than those who don’t follow sports as passionately, as detailed by a 2021 review article in the journal Current Problems in Cardiology. That article mentioned how experiencing strong emotions and psychological stress corelates with suffering myocardial infarctions, abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac deaths.
But it’s not just the emotion in motion that may cause problems. When one thinks of a Super Bowl party, kale, kale and nothing but kale doesn’t typically come to mind. No, according to Google Trends the most searched Super Bowl appetizers include stuff like Philly cheesesteak sliders, Hawaiian roll sliders, pigs in a blanket, nachos, potato skins and meatballs. Not exactly the healthiest fare as few doctors probably recommend the all-pigs in a blanket diet. And when it comes to the main course, people often wing it as in wolf down Buffalo wings. Many of these things are high in salt, which can precipitate changes in blood pressure.
Then there’s the alcohol. Yes, surprise, surprise people do drink things like beer and margaritas while watching football games. Alcohol can change the distribution of blood in the body and lead to dehydration. These different things can tip you over the edge, especially if you have pre-existing coronary artery disease or other cardiovascular problems.
So, you may want to watch what you are putting in your mouth during the Super Bowl. Stay aware of any warning signs of a heart problem or stroke such as palpitations, chest pain or pressure, discomfort in your arms, dizziness, lightheadedness or shortness of breath. Don’t assume that you are experiencing these simply because you are watching Saquon Barkley run the ball. And don’t put off seeking medical attention just because you want to see Patrick Mahomes lead one more drive.
Finally, try to take it easy. Losing the big game is not the worst thing in the world. Eagles fans should used to it by now. Life will go on if your favorite team can’t capture that trophy. Just make sure your does too.
