Play it safely: Tips to stay in the heart safety zone during the big game – the Baton Rouge Clinic

Millions of football fans will gather to cheer their favorite team during the big game on Sunday. And with the excitement around the long -awaited sporting event, there are some tips on staying heart safety as a viewer.

Dr. Satajit Reddy, a sports cardiologist of the Mayo clinic, says that although those on the pitch certainly have some medical risk, some studies show that fans watching the big game may be at increased risk of emergencies to the heart.

“Studies suggest that there is an increased incidence of heart events, namely arrhythmias, heart failure and heart attacks, during these major sports events, especially in sports such as football and American football. Even more interesting is that these speeds of heart events are increasing, the more dramatic the game is, “says Dr. Reddy.

Watch: D -r Satyajit Reddy talks about heart safety during sporting events

Journalists: Sound bites of broadcast quality with Dr. Satyadzhit Reddy are available in downloads at the end of the publication. Please kindness: “Mayo Clinic News Network.” Name Super/CG: Satyajit Reddy, MD/Cardiovascular Medicine/Mayo Clinic.

For example, the closer the game is in the last moments, the frequency of heart events increases.

Risk factors

Those who are the most risk of experiencing a heart event during the game are people who have the traditional risk factors for heart disease or an existing heart disease history.

“They have risk factors for heart disease-incredible such as high blood pressure, diabetes or prediabetes, high cholesterol-they may not see a primary doctor regularly,” he says.

Heart safety tips

The sports watches party can be a holiday of excess and a combination of too much alcohol, tobacco and salty, fatty foods. Combined with emotional stress, these factors can lead to a condition that is also seen around the holidays known as a festive heart – where an irregular heart rate, known as atrial fibrillation, may occur.

Here are three tips to enjoy the big game and stay heartfelt:

• Avoid using tobacco.
• Limit alcohol.
• Eat healthy.

“There are salty, fatty and sugary foods that can certainly add in three hours. And if you have high blood pressure, if you have these cardiac risk factors, it can flood your heart and cause heart problems, “says D -R Reddy.

Keep in mind stress.

“If you are watching the game and notice that you are worried or stressed, it is important to have a relaxation technique or ways to manage your anxiety or stress,” he says. “In addition, with the spread of sports betting nowadays, to avoid betting, because it just adds another layer of stress.”

D -R Redi says to celebrate in good health and practice heart safety.

“Enjoy the game, but do it responsibly,” he adds.

If you or someone you are with, you have symptoms of a heart event, call 911 immediately.

Symptoms of a heart attack

Common symptoms may include:

• Chest pain that can feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or pain.
• Pain or discomfort that spreads in the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper abdomen.
• Cold sweat.
• Fatigue.
• Acids or indigestion.
• Mild voice or sudden dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Shortness of breath.

Symptoms of heart attack can be different for men and women. Women may have atypical symptoms, such as short or acute pain, felt in the neck, arm or back.