World Cup fans with heart conditions warned of health risks from match excitement

A study using wearable devices measured physiological responses during the 2025 German Cup final, comparing them to normal days. It found that fans' heart rates could reach levels as high as 150 beats per minute, similar to sprinting. Christian Deutscher, a professor of sports economics and co-author of the study, noted that watching games live in a stadium, especially with alcohol consumption and heat, places the greatest strain on the body. However, even fans watching from home exhibited measurable increases in heart rate.

Deutscher also highlighted that moments of uncertainty, such as penalty shootouts, VAR reviews, or shots hitting the post, tend to elicit the most intense physiological reactions, more so than goals alone. Dan Atar, a cardiology professor at Oslo University Hospital, explained that the maximum adrenergic stimulation, characterized by high blood pressure, heart rate, and skyrocketing adrenaline and cortisol levels, can, in rare cases, trigger the rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, leading to a heart attack. He reassured that watching football itself is not inherently dangerous, but the combination of emotional stress, alcohol, heat, and underlying conditions can increase the risk of adverse events.

To mitigate these risks, Santalucia advised individuals at higher risk to continue taking their prescribed medications, avoid excessive alcohol and stimulant substances, and to not ignore warning symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat. The key message, she emphasized, is to enjoy the matches with moderation and awareness, especially for those with existing cardiovascular concerns.