ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – The Cardinals are living up to the name “Cardiac Cards” with two world series games coming down to a play that had fans blood pressure rising.
But what does that actually mean for your heart health?
Dr. Richard Bach, Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Barnes Jewish Hospital, talked to Fox 2’s John Pertzborn about how stressful situations can effect our heart.
Dr. Bach discussed how some die hard fans make heart situations worse by waiting to the end of the game to seek medical assistance.
Adrenaline levels increase because of the excitement leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and in the case of patients with pre-existing heart disease, there can be a decrease in blood flow to the heart – triggering a heart attack. Blood can also be triggered to clot during stress – which can also lead to a heart attack.
Spikes in heart attack rates have been seen in soccer fans after World Cup matches or penalty shoot-out.
He stressed the importance of getting medical assistance right away if you think there is a problem.
For more information on Dr. Bach, visit: http://wuphysicians.wustl.edu/physician2.aspx?PhysNum=2687
