Is your heart in the game? Doctors say the Super Bowl can break it

It’s Super Bowl Sunday — a time for football and fun. Health experts, however, are warning that being too invested in 2025’s big game could hurt the heart.

“There are behaviors that can be associated with the Super Bowl that are not heart-healthy,” cardiologist Dr. Tamara Horwich told the American Heart Association. “You might think, ‘One day doesn’t make a difference, right?’”

A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology discovered death rates increased after the Los Angeles Rams lost the Super Bowl in 1980, many due to heart attacks or coronary heart disease. In 1984, the Los Angeles Raiders won the big game and local death rates declined.

“Research shows that when your team is doing well and they win, you experience feelings of mental well-being and boosts in self-esteem,” sports psychology researcher Dr. Brandon Mastromartino told the American Heart Association. “The reverse can happen too. When your team loses, you feel a little worse about yourself, and you might experience lower self-esteem.”

Current Problems in Cardiology issued a report in 2021 that revealed American football fans are at an increased risk of cardiac events in general. Super Bowl parties often include alcohol and fatty foods, which can significantly worsen blood pressure when consumed in excess. For people with hypertension (high blood pressure), it can be a significant health hazard.

“The reason is that the emotional stress of watching the game can trigger surges of adrenaline,” Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Nicholas Ruthmann explained. “In turn, this can elevate blood pressure, increase your heart rate and even provoke dangerous heart rhythms — particularly in those with an underlying cardiovascular disease.”

Symptoms of a heart attack often include chest pain, discomfort in the arms (one or both), shortness of breath, nausea, rapid heartbeat and feeling lightheaded.

“Don’t wait for the fourth quarter if you’re having signs or symptoms of a heart attack. Pay attention to what’s happening with your body during the event and seek medical care quickly,” Ruthmann added.

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