Football boosts chances of heart attack, warn top medics ahead of Euro campaign
Hospitals up and down the country prepare for more admissions as research reveals football brings on acute stress
HOSPITALS are braced for an influx of patients this weekend – after a study found watching football increases the risk of having a heart attack.
England kick off their Euro 2016 campaign today, when they play Russia in France. Wales also start their campaign this afternoon, with Ireland getting underway on Monday.
But hospitals back home are expecting an increase in A&E admissions, brought on by the “acute stress” of the game.
Health authorities have previously linked the stress caused by earthquakes or the World Cup with increased heart attacks and other adverse cardiac events.
And now research by King’s College London and St Thomas’s Hospital, central London, has identified why.
Scientists looked at 15 people with significant coronary heart disease – the narrowing of arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart – and 11 people without significant CHD.
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The volunteers underwent tests to trigger mental stress whilst the blood pressure and speed of blood flow inside the coronary arteries were measured.
Researchers saw an increase in heart rate and blood pressure during mental stress testing, reflecting an increase in oxygen demand by the heart muscle.
But in people with CHD – representing 2.3million people in the UK – blood flow in the coronary arteries did not increase to meet that demand.
This leaves them at risk of suffering a heart attack, which happens when the heart fails to get the oxygen it needs.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “During Euro 2016, it’s likely that plenty of people will experience some mental stress and even more frustration.
“These findings emphasise that people with coronary heart disease should do what they can to minimise those stress levels once the tournament kicks off.”
Dr James Wilkinson, a consultant cardiologist at Southampton General Hospital, urged fans to call for help immediately if they suffer a heart attack – and not to wait until the end of the game.
He said: “There is a clear link between stress and heart attacks and this regularly causes an increase in admissions during major football tournaments.
“People also drink more alcohol, leading to worse blood pressure control, and smoke more, which are both known causative factors for heart attacks.
“Given all of this, we would expect more admissions to our specialist centre during Euro 2016.
“From past experience, we also know people can tend to avoid calling for emergency help before matches are over and we would strongly advise people not to do this.
“Chest pain at rest must be taken seriously and people should not delay calling for help.
“For heart attacks, your one-year risk of dying increases by 7.5% for each 30-minute delay in calling for help, so time really is critical.”
CHD is responsible for more than 73,000 deaths in the UK each year, with one in six men and one in ten women dying from the condition.
Researchers hope to use their findings to develop treatments that counteract the effect of stress and reduce the risk of potentially fatal heart problems.
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