04/07/2026 10:47 - Salud
The World Cup puts us on an emotional rollercoaster that, while bringing family and friends together, can also have a risky side for our health. According to a report by Rosario3, various studies indicate that severe cardiovascular events spike during matches with high emotional stakes, such as those the Argentine national team—affectionately known as La Scaloneta after their coach Lionel Scaloni—is facing on their path in the 2026 World Cup.
Following the agonizing 3-2 victory over Cape Verde on July 3, 2026, Argentina's next appointment will be on July 7 in Atlanta against Egypt for the Round of 16. To reach that moment with a healthy heart, experts warn that it is fundamental to take care of risk factors.
During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reportedly observed that the risk of suffering a cardiac emergency was approximately 2.7 times higher during German national team matches compared to control periods.
Similarly, after England's elimination at the hands of Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup in France, heart attacks reportedly spiked by 25% in the United Kingdom, according to research later published in the British Medical Journal.
According to Dr. Juan Pablo Costabel (National Medical License 119.403), head of the Coronary Unit at the ICBA (Buenos Aires Cardiovascular Institute), it is normal for the heart to beat faster due to emotion, but certain symptoms would require immediate medical consultation:
Dr. Viviana Cavenago (National Medical License 134319), a cardiologist at ICBA, points out that time is tissue. Arriving in time to the emergency room can make the difference in the face of a heart attack. To prevent complications, it is suggested to:
Dr. Cavenago details that acute stress can generate a pathology known as Takotsubo Syndrome, caused by the sudden release of adrenaline. This dilates the heart and makes it lose strength to contract, potentially evolving into heart failure that manifests days after the stressful event with shortness of breath and leg swelling.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 18, totaling 39 days of football. Taking advantage of this great sporting party is the perfect opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle and take care of the heart to continue cheering on La Scaloneta for a long time.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
