CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) – Nail-biting fourth-quarter finishes by the Chicago Bears may be thrilling for fans, but cardiologists say the stress they cause is very real, even if it’s unlikely to do lasting harm for most viewers.
After now winning seven games in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, some fans have jokingly dubbed the team the “Cardiac Bears.” Smart watches and heart-rate monitors worn by fans show noticeable spikes during tense moments, especially late in games.
“It felt unhealthy for me,” said Dr. Arjun Mehta, a cardiologist at Rush University Medical Center. “I was at the game [Saturday] night. That second half, I’m pretty sure my heart rate was 130 beats per minute.”
Mehta tells CBS News Chicago he’s seen an uptick in hospital visits during playoff games and other high-stakes sporting events, particularly among people with pre-existing heart conditions such as heart failure.
“Some of the signs you should be looking for are shortness of breath, trouble lying flat, swelling of the legs,” Mehta added.
People with known heart conditions are considered the most vulnerable during intense emotional stress.
Still, Mehta emphasized that for the average fan, the excitement is unlikely to cause serious harm.
“The stress, although it’s palpable, is not going to cause any long-term health effects,” he said.
Despite the stress, Bears fans say the emotional roller coaster is part of the deal and one they’re willing to ride as long as the wins keep coming.