One of football’s biggest events is coming: the World Cup. Families get together, groups meet to watch the games and a huge stand forms in front of the TV, driven by anxiety, euphoria and tension with each play. But, while competition makes the heart beat faster, intense emotions can also impact the health of those who already have a predisposition to cardiovascular diseases.

Care is important because conditions such as heart attack, stroke, hypertension, heart failure and arrhythmias continue to be the main causes of death in Brazil. Data from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) indicate that around 400,000 Brazilians die every year from cardiovascular problems.

“In decisive matches, the body releases a greater amount of hormones linked to stress and excitement, such as adrenaline and cortisol. This mechanism causes the heartbeat to accelerate, blood pressure to increase and the heart to demand more oxygen to function”, explains cardiologist Eduardo Lima, from Hospital Nove de Julho (SP), which is part of Rede Américas.

Although this reaction is common in moments of strong emotion, it can represent danger in some cases. “In people with risk factors, such as hypertension, cardiac history or anxiety, this additional effort can contribute to episodes of arrhythmia, cardiovascular decompensation and other acute complications”, warns the doctor.

Habits during games and impacts on cardiovascular health

Very common habits during games can also increase the risk of cardiovascular decompensation, especially related to high blood pressure and heart failure. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, meals high in fat and sodium and changes in sleep routine favor fluid retention, increased blood pressure and greater overload on the cardiovascular system.

“During championships, many people interrupt healthy habits, overeat and even forget medication schedules. In hypertensive patients or with a history of heart failure, this set of factors can facilitate hypertensive crises and episodes of decompensation”, adds Eduardo Lima.

Warning signs for cardiac arrhythmias

In relation to cardiac arrhythmiasthe alert is for symptoms that may appear suddenly during moments of greater emotional tension, such as:

• Palpitations;
• Feeling of a racing or irregular heart;
• Dizziness;
• Shortness of breathe;
• Intense Sister;
• Chest pain;
• Feeling of fainting.

According to the cardiologist, the recommendation is to seek medical attention quickly if the signs persist or appear associated with significant discomfort.

When the crowd stops being healthy

During the World Cup, cheering not only involves emotion, but also psychological and physical reactions in the body. “Cheering activates brain mechanisms linked to identification, belonging and expectation. In moments of great tension, the body releases hormones related to stress and excitement, which can increase anxiety and trigger physical symptoms”, says psychiatrist Gustavo Yamin Fernandes, from Hospital Samaritano Higienópolis, which is also part of Rede Américas.

The doctor also warns when cheering stops being healthy. “What deserves attention is when the fans turn into intense suffering, loss of control, aggression, obsession or damage to personal life and work”, he points out.

Furthermore, some people may react more intensely to the emotions provoked by games, especially those who already have greater emotional sensitivity or a predisposition to anxiety. “In more sensitive people, or with some predisposition, the feeling of urgency and the state of excitement triggered by matches can generate anxiety attacksfeeling short of breath, palpitations and even episodes of malaise”, explains the doctor.

Consensus is balance. Maintaining your medication and hydration routine, avoiding excesses and respecting your body’s limits are important measures to support more safely during the championship.

By Janaina Lira