As the World Cup final approaches, heart patients should proceed with caution. Research from Professor Arno Hoes, a family medicine expert, reveals that watching high-stakes football matches can endanger those with heart conditions.
A German study during the 1996 World Cup found men faced a significantly increased risk of heart attack, particularly during tense moments like penalty shootouts.
Watching with others
While the safest option for at-risk individuals is to skip watching altogether, alternatives exist. Atrium MC hospital in Limburg once allowed supervised viewing of the Netherlands-Japan match under cardiologists' care, though patients opted to watch at home with loved ones.
Professor Hoes suggests watching together isn't a bad idea, as shared experiences reduce personal stress. He advises avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and fatty snacks during the game.
