With the end of the group stage and the start of the qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 This Sunday (28), exciting decisions, extra time and penalty shootouts begin to become a real concern for Brazilian fans. In addition to the excitement and joy of seeing the ball rolling, football games can also represent a source of emotional stress.
According to the cardiologist at Casa de Saúde São José, Dr. Julianny Freitas, during a penalty shootout or a very exciting game, the organism can react as if it were facing a dangerous situation. “The brain activates the sympathetic nervous system, promoting an intense discharge of adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones increase the heart rate, raise blood pressure, increase the heart’s contraction force and increase oxygen consumption by the heart muscle. Furthermore, they make the blood more prone to clotting”, he explains.
In most people, this translates into only transient symptoms, such as palpitations, cold sweat, cold hands and a feeling of butterflies in the stomach. But in individuals more predisposed to heart problems, this response can act as a , arrhythmias and even sudden death.
The doctor points out that patients who live with coronary disease, high blood pressure, heart failure or a previous history of arrhythmias, therefore, should be more attentive to the , even in football matches.
Broken heart syndrome
Cardiovascular events can also happen in apparently healthy people due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Genetic diseases, electrical changes in the heart or silent coronary disease are conditions that can often go unnoticed by patients, for example.
“There is also a condition called stress-induced cardiomyopathy, known as Takotsubo syndrome or, popularly, broken heart syndrome. It can be triggered by extremely intense emotions and cause symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. The good news is that these events are rare. Most fans will only experience the natural emotions of sport, without relevant clinical consequences”, comments Dr. Julianny Freitas.
For the doctor, some symptoms should be considered warning signs. Check it out below:
- Pain or pressure in the chest, especially if it lasts more than a few minutes;
- Lack of important art;
- Fainting or loss of consciousness;
- Intense dizziness associated with palpitations;
- Sensation of very fast, irregular or irregular heartbeats;
- Intense sweating associated with significant discomfort;
- Pain radiating to left arm, jaw, back or neck.
In addition to the stress of the match, the ritual of watching the national team’s games accompanied by barbecue, alcoholic drinks, energy drinks or smoking can also enhance the . The combination of these factors can simultaneously overload the body.
To avoid problems and take care of your heart health, care should include: keeping your medications up to date; avoid excessive alcohol consumption and never mix it with energy drinks; avoid both traditional and electronic cigarettes; stay well hydrated; sleep adequately; do not ignore symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or palpitations; and finally, maintain regular follow-up with a cardiologist.
*Under the supervision of Thomaz Coelho
