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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
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
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
Wilbert-Lampen U, Leistner D, Greven S et al (2008) Cardiovascular events during World Cup soccer. N Engl J Med 358:475–483
Carroll D, Ebrahim S, Tilling K et al (2002) Admissions for myocardial infarction and World Cup football: database survey. BMJ 325:1439–1442
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
Kirkup W, Merrick DW (2003) A matter of life and death: population mortality and football results. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:429–432
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
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
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
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
Toubiana L, Hanslik T, Letrilliart L (2001) French cardiovascular mortality did not increase during 1996 European football championship. BMJ 322:1306
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
Corresponding author
Rights 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
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0593-y