Watching the 2026 World Cup Can Make Your Heart Sprint, Who Needs to Be Alert?

JAKARTA - The fever of the 2026 World Cup is not always just a matter of shouting, excitement, and then relief after the long whistle. For some people, especially those with a history of heart disease, hot matches can put a serious burden on the body.

Citing Euronews Health, Saturday, June 13, cardiologists warn fans with heart disorders to be more careful when watching high-emotion matches.

"Strong emotions, both positive and negative, can be a risk factor for triggering cardiovascular events such as heart attacks," said Paola Santalucia, a cardiologist and member of the European Heart Network board.

According to Santalucia, the euphoria when the national team wins, a penalty shootout, or a tense match can be risky for people with heart disease. Those who have hypertension, obesity, or smoking habits also need to be more vigilant.

Too strong emotions can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones such as cortisol. In some cases, the heart rate can reach 150 times per minute. That figure is equivalent to the body's condition when running fast.

The findings refer to a recent study based on wearable devices, such as smartwatches or body monitors, which measure heart rate and stress levels during the 2025 German Cup final. The data was compared with daily conditions over 12 weeks.

"The biggest impact is on fans who watch live in the stadium while drinking beer," Christian Deutscher, professor of sports economics at Bielefeld University, Germany, told Euronews Health. He added that hot weather can also add to the body's burden.

Even viewers at home are affected. Their heart rates remain elevated, even equivalent to people who are walking, even though their bodies are not actually moving.

According to Deutscher, the moment that makes the body react is not just a goal. It is the uncertain situation such as a penalty shootout, VAR inspection, or the ball hitting the post that can have a big impact on the body's vital signs.

However, doctors insist that football is not the enemy. The problem lies in the body's response to exploding emotions.

"Adrenergic stimulation is at its maximum point: blood pressure is very high, heart rate is high, adrenaline and cortisol are soaring," said Dan Atar, professor of cardiology at Oslo University Hospital, Norway, quoted by Euronews.

In a small percentage of people, such a reaction can trigger the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic plaque is a buildup of fat or other substances in the walls of arterial blood vessels. If it ruptures, the risk can lead to a heart attack.

Atar emphasized that watching football is not dangerous for most people. Feeling tense or happy during the game is a normal body reaction.

The risk increases if high emotions are mixed with alcohol, hot weather, smoking, stimulants, and a history of heart disease.

To Euronews Health, Santalucia stressed that fans do not need to avoid matches. The important thing is that the at-risk group watches more consciously, continues to take prescribed medications, and immediately seeks medical help if symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or a very fast and irregular heartbeat appear.