Big sports games may increase fans' heart risk

Washington, February 7 (ANI): Experts have observed an increase in the number of heart attacks during big games.

Boffins noticed that German men's risk of having a heart attack almost tripled during the World Cup in 2006.

The number went up from one-in-100,000 people to between two- and three-per-100,000 people, reports CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

Researchers pointed out that the number of heart attacks increased on game day and also sometime after that and the mortality figures shot down when the home teams won.

Specialists added that though the overall risk of having a heart attack while watching a big sports event was small, big events coupled with food, alcohol and stress could lead to an increase in heart attack risks.

The study was published in The American Journal of Cardiology. (ANI)