A study has suggested that devoted football fans experience such intense levels of physical stress that could increase their risk of a heart attack.
A new study from Oxford University examined the levels of stress experienced by football fans which increases the risk of heart attack. The researchers tested saliva from Brazilian fans during the team's historic loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
They discovered that the levels of the hormone cortisol surged dramatically among fans during the 7-1 home defeat by Brazil in the semifinal. The researchers noted no difference in stress levels between men and women during the game, despite preconceptions men are more "bonded to their football teams".
Dr. Martha Newson, researcher at the Center for the Study of Social Cohesion at Oxford, said: "Fans who are strongly fused with their team - that is, have a strong sense of being 'one' with their team - experience the greatest physiological stress response when watching a match."
Meanwhile, she mentioned: "Fans who are more casual supporters also experience stress but not so extremely."
Increased levels of cortisol can also give people a feeling of impending doom, that their life is in danger or they are under attack and previous studies have indicated an increase in heart attacks among fans on important match days, whether supporting club or country.
Dr. Newson pointed out: "It was a harrowing match - so many people stormed out sobbing." However, fans were able to bring down their cortisol levels by using coping strategies such as humor and hugging to reduce their stress.
Newson suggested that stadiums should dim the lights and play calming music after crunch games. She added: "Clubs may be able to offer heart screenings or other health measures to highly committed fans who are at the greatest risk of experiencing increased stress during the game."
