Original scientific paper

Acute cardiovascular events and watching football matches

Luka Matej Mahečić ; Zavod za hitnu medicinu Zadarske županije
Florijan Iljazović ; Jacktime S.A.
Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Zdravko Babić ; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu

Abstract

FIFA World Cup represents one of the world’s greatest phenomena. The spectators watch the matches of national teams with great emotional involvement. It is well documented fact that emotional stress can be a trigger of unwanted cardiovascular (CV) event. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether there had been an increase in the number of the emergency admissions for CVD in the Emergency Room and Clinic for Cardiovascular Diseases of the Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre during and after the matches that the Croatian national team played in the FIFA World Cup 2018. The hospital’s database was examined for the dates when Croatia played its matches, plus two more days after each match. A non-exposed period that included the same dates in 2017 and 2019 was formed. 1093 cases were assessed. The incidence of CV admissions during the exposed period was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.02 to 1.31) times higher than during the non-exposed period. There was a 1.30 (95% CI; 1.1 to 1.54) times higher incidence in women compared to the non-exposed period. Arrhythmias and angina pectoris were the CVDs that occurred more frequently in the exposed period. This study showed that watching Croatian national team’s matches and cheering represented an additional risk for a CV incident, especially in women.

Keywords

FIFA World Cup, acute cardiovascular disease, risk, number of admissions

Hrčak ID:

290960

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/290960

Publication date:

30.9.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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