Skip to main content
Log in

Super Bowl outcome’s association with cardiovascular death

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clinical Research in Cardiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Background

A previous analysis from Los Angeles showed that death rates increased among hometown fans after losing the Super Bowl in 1980 and decreased after a win in 1984. Data are unavailable in the era of drug-eluting stents, dual antiplatelet therapy, statins, and modern medical therapy.

Methods

Two high drama and intense Super Bowls were analyzed: NYC beat New England (Massachusetts) in 2008 and Pittsburgh defeated Arizona in 2009. Daily death certificate data were obtained. The case period included eight consecutive days beginning Super Bowl day. The control period included eight consecutive days beginning Super Bowl day in non-case period Super Bowls from 2005 to 2009.

Results

After Massachusetts’ defeat, circulatory deaths increased by 20 % (p = 0.0004) and ischemic heart disease deaths increased by 24 % (p = 0.01) in Massachusetts. After Pittsburgh’s victory circulatory deaths decreased by 25 % (p = 0.046), ischemic heart disease deaths decreased by 31 % (p = 0.03), and myocardial infarction deaths decreased by 46 % (p = 0.01) in Pittsburgh. Cardiovascular death rates did not change in Arizona (all p > 0.19). Massachusetts and Pittsburgh show stronger support for their home teams compared with Arizona.

Conclusions

A Super Bowl with high drama/intensity can be associated with changes in cardiovascular death rates among a fan base with a strong attachment to the team even in the contemporary era. An increase in death rates can be associated with a loss and a decrease in death rates can be associated with a win.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kloner RA, McDonald SA, Leeka J et al (2011) Role of age, sex, and race on cardiac and total mortality associated with Super Bowl wins and losses. Clin Cardiol 34:102–107

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kloner RA, McDonald S, Leeka J et al (2009) Comparison of total and cardiovascular death rates in the same city during a losing versus winning super bowl championship. Am J Cardiol 103:1647–1650

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Wilbert-Lampen U, Leistner D, Greven S et al (2008) Cardiovascular events during World Cup soccer. N Engl J Med 358:475–483

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Carroll D, Ebrahim S, Tilling K et al (2002) Admissions for myocardial infarction and World Cup football: database survey. BMJ 325:1439–1442

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Witte DR, Bots ML, Hoes AW et al (2000) Cardiovascular mortality in Dutch men during 1996 European football championship: longitudinal population study. BMJ 321:1552–1554

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kirkup W, Merrick DW (2003) A matter of life and death: population mortality and football results. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:429–432

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Katz E, Metzger JT, Marazzi A et al (2006) Increase of sudden cardiac deaths in Switzerland during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Int J Cardiol 107:132–133

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Barone-Adesi F, Vizzini L, Merletti F et al (2010) It is just a game: lack of association between watching football matches and the risk of acute cardiovascular events. Int J Epidemiol 39:1006–1013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Bauman AE, van der Ploeg HP, Chey T et al (2006) The hazards of watching football—are Australians at risk? Med J Aust 185:684–686

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Berthier F, Boulay F (2003) Lower myocardial infarction mortality in French men the day France won the 1998 World Cup of football. Heart 89:555–556

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Toubiana L, Hanslik T, Letrilliart L (2001) French cardiovascular mortality did not increase during 1996 European football championship. BMJ 322:1306

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We greatly appreciate the time and effort from the following departments and individuals for their contribution to the data. Their efforts made this project possible. Thank you: Jennifer Myers, Kevin Foster and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Richard Porter and the Arizona Department of Health Services; James Rubertone, Atmaram Nambiar, Owen Simwale and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. (These data were provided by the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research, Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analysis, interpretations or conclusions.)

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bryan G. Schwartz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schwartz, B.G., McDonald, S.A. & Kloner, R.A. Super Bowl outcome’s association with cardiovascular death. Clin Res Cardiol 102, 807–811 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0593-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0593-y

Keywords

Navigation