2026 World Cup Final Could Increase Heart Attack Risk, Recognize Three Symptoms

A number of fans watch football matches through a large screen. Tension during high-intensity matches can increase the risk of heart disorders in people with cardiovascular disease or certain risk factors. Illustration photo: Pexels.

JAKARTA - Tension while watching the 2026 World Cup final can increase the risk of heart disorders in people with cardiovascular disease or certain risk factors. Doctors warn of three symptoms that should not be considered just nervous.

Euronews, quoted on Sunday, July 19, said scientific evidence showed high-intensity matches could increase the risk of heart attacks, cardiac arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular events in vulnerable groups.

Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine after the 2006 World Cup in Germany found cardiovascular emergencies increased 2.7-fold during Germany's national team matches.

Research from Bielefeld University, published this year in Scientific Reports, also found high-level football matches can increase heart rates and stress, including for spectators watching from home.

Spanish cardiologist José Abellán said the body can respond to the World Cup final as it does in a dangerous situation.

"This is a situation that is both exciting and stressful. The body releases stress hormones that make us more active. The surge in cortisol and catecholamines puts the body in a state of stress," he said.

The surge in hormones can raise blood pressure, speed up the heart rate, and encourage the formation of blood clots.

In most people, the condition does not cause problems. However, stress can be a trigger for people whose cardiovascular health is already impaired. Cardiovascular is related to the heart and blood vessels.

"If my cardiovascular health is optimal or good, nothing will happen. However, in someone whose cardiovascular health is impaired, a stressful event can be a trigger," said Abellán.

The group that needs to be more careful is people who have had a heart attack, use a stent, suffer from hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, or have a history of heart rhythm disorders.

Stents are small devices that are placed to help keep blood vessels open.

According to Abellán, the risk does not only come from the tension of the match, but also the habits that accompany it, such as eating large meals, eating unhealthy foods, drinking alcohol, or using other substances.

He also touched on holiday heart or party heart syndrome, which is a heart rhythm disorder that can appear after excessive alcohol consumption.

The disturbance is usually in the form of atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythm. This condition can appear after consuming high amounts of alcohol, including during parties, weekends, or major sporting events.

If excessive alcohol consumption occurs simultaneously with emotional stress during the finals, the risk may increase, especially in people with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Heart palpitations while watching a match can occur due to tension. However, three symptoms should not be ignored, namely chest pain that presses, sudden shortness of breath, and palpitations that persist after tension subsides.

"In my opinion, the most important symptom is chest pain that presses. If you suddenly feel like there is a burden on your chest that spreads to your shoulders, neck, or back and is accompanied by sweating, it's not just nervous," said Abellán.

He asked anyone who experienced any of the three symptoms to immediately check themselves.

"If you experience any of these three symptoms, check yourself," he said.

Euronews noted that the risk can increase when existing cardiovascular disease is combined with severe stress, alcohol, overeating, smoking, or lack of sleep.

Abellán stressed that watching football alone does not cause a heart attack. He advised spectators to enjoy the game calmly with family or friends and limit alcoholic food and drinks.