Citing one of the stranger studies I’ve read, the NY Times says that diehard sports fans triple their risk of a heart attack. (It’s only double if you’re a woman – seriously, have you ever seen a woman paint her chest in two colors and then sit in the cold for hours wearing a viking helmet? Nevermind, don’t answer that one.)
The intrepid researchers studied hospital records during the World Cup – a sporting event which traditionally attracts the most rabid of fans – and discovered that the fans are really putting the “die” in diehard. On days that the person’s team played cardiac emergencies more than tripled. “How the team played, the overall importance of the match and whether the winner was determined by a shootout all affected fans’ heart risks,” so say the German researchers. “Apparently, of prime importance for triggering a stress-induced event is not the outcome of a game — a win or a loss — but rather the intense strain and excitement experienced during the viewing of a dramatic match, such as one with a penalty shootout.”
I have to admit this phenomenon is particularly strange to me as I’ve never been much of a Superfan (my husband would contest I’ve never been any kind of fan at all). I had 20th row tickets to the Jazz-Bulls playoffs and ended up leaving during half time because, well, I was bored. If that makes you want to throw things at me, I’m sorry:) I can get pretty pumped up for the Summer Olympics – this year, baby!! – but never to the point where my heart races or my blood pressure goes up. If Michael Phelps doesn’t sweep, I can still sleep alright.
So how about you guys – have any of you ever experienced a sports crush so intense you worried about a heart attack?? Or at least cared enough to wear the head of a dead animal as a hat? Come on, tell me about the crazy things you’ve done in the name of sports-love!
I’m a huge Cowboys fan, and Tony Romo has probably taken about 2 years off of my life by now. Of course, he’s also given me a couple dozen moments of sheer joy and a legitimate shot at the ultimate reward of seeing my team win the superbowl sometime in the next few years, so I consider it a fair trade.
To those who say “you’d live longer if you didn’t care so much about your team,” I say, “but what would be the point?”
Lucas- I know about Tony Romo, I mean, what HAPPENED in the play off game, it was like he had never played pro before.
I am a HUGE NFL fan. I love to watch any game as long as it is interesting and close. I yell at the Tv and drive my hubby crazy, but I like to have some different excitement though I have never had my blood pressured measure during a game.
Candice
My husband and I are both big Cubs fans…do I need to say more? He is from Chicago and feels it much more deeply than I do. When we lived in Chicago we regularly went to games and the level of excitement/depression is infectious! I love that people are passionate about sports, but it’s not for everyone! My dad loves sports but he can’t watch them because he gets so into it he’ll start to break a sweat and beomes oblivious to the world around him! I have managed over the past few years to coax him into the world of running. He enjoys doing the races (drives me nuts that my dad can totally beat the pants off my times) and seems to be ok with just finishing – probably because he knows he’s so darn fast!
I agree with Lucas – “what would be the point?”
Okay, okay – you guys convinced me! Thanks for helping me understand what the big deal is:)