Who could believe that a Super Bowl loss increases the rate of cardiac death? In major breakthrough, experts found that a Super Bowl loss for a home team elevates death rates in men as well as women and among older individuals. It was suggested that an emotional response can give rise to a cardiac event.
Sports fans seem to be emotionally involved in watching their favorite teams. In case the team fails to win, then it may trigger some degree of emotional stress. In the present study, investigators kept a tab on the number of times this emotional stress results in elevation for cardiac death. Various regression models for mortality rates of cardiac causes in the 1980 Los Angeles Super Bowl loss and during the 1984 Los Angeles Super Bowl win were evaluated. Reportedly, the Los Angeles Super Bowl loss of 1980 raised total and cardiac deaths in both men and women. It apparently caused more death in older as compared to younger patients. A trend for a Super Bowl win to reduce death more frequently in older people and women was registered.
Among men there appeared a 15 percent elevation in all circulatory deaths linked to Super Bowl loss. On the other hand, in women a 27 percent increase in all circulatory deaths associated with the loss was reported. Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD, of the Heart Institute, Good Samarian Hospital and Keck School of Medicine at USC in Los Angeles, lead investigator and colleagues noted a 22 percent increase in circulatory deaths associated with the Super Bowl loss among older patients. It was mentioned that patients at risk of a cardiac event due to an emotional response can supposedly benefit from stress reduction programs or some personalized medications.
The study is published in the journal Clinical Cardiology.
