As the summer’s World Cup unfolds in the USA, a doctor has raised concerns about the heightened risk of heart attacks and strokes among fans. With late-night matches keeping pubs open into the early hours, supporters face a potential combination of sleep deprivation, stress, and alcohol consumption as football excitement sweeps the nation.
England will kick off their World Cup journey against Croatia on June 17 with a 9pm UK match, while Scotland will face Haiti on June 14 in a 2am game, leading to the likelihood of millions of fans staying up late celebrating or commiserating.
Dr. Chun Tang, a prominent GP at Pall Mall Medical Group, emphasized the strain that high-stakes football, coupled with alcohol and lack of sleep, can place on the body. According to Dr. Tang, significant football matches trigger intense emotional reactions, which can elevate heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones, potentially increasing the risk of chest pain, heart palpitations, and cardiac events, particularly for supporters with underlying health conditions.
The doctor highlighted that late nights and heavy drinking during tournaments can also have detrimental effects on mental and physical well-being. Sleep deprivation impacts concentration, mood, and immune function, leading to symptoms like headaches, irritability, anxiety, and exhaustion, especially when combined with excessive alcohol consumption, which can result in dehydration, poor-quality sleep, and risky binge-drinking behavior.
Furthermore, stressed fans may resort to unhealthy habits like junk food and smoking during tense matches, adding further strain on their bodies. Dr. Tang advised fans to pace themselves, stay hydrated, and take breaks when needed to navigate the emotional stress, disrupted sleep, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy eating habits that tournament football can bring.
For personalized news, make Daily Mirror your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.