Every football fan knows all too well the heartbreak caused by seeing their team lose. But now scientists are warning that the stress caused by watching football defeats really can damage your heart and even kill you.
According to The Daily Mail, a new study suggests that fans of losing sides are 29 percent more likely to suffer a deadly a heart attack or stroke on a match day.
By comparison, supporting the winning side is linked to a 20 percent lower chance of a fatal incident, the German news agency reported.
Men appear more vulnerable, with their chance of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events increasing more steeply on football days than women.
Their research, outlined in the Journal of Sports Sciences, concluded: "Cardiovascular events are triggered by great mental stress and emotional upheaval in relation to football matches."
They also suggested "increased alcohol and tobacco consumption to relieve upset feelings" might be a factor, and said "precautionary measures" were needed at matches.
