Cardiovascular mortality in Dutch men during 1996 European football championship: longitudinal population study

Objective To investigate whether an important football match increases stre ss to such an extent that it triggers acute myocardial infarction and strok e. Design Longitudinal study of mortality around 22 June 1996 (the day the Dut ch football team was eliminated from the European football championship). M ortality on 22 June was compared with the five days before and after the ma tch and in the same period in 1995 and 1997. Setting Netherlands. Subjects Dutch population aged 45 years or over in June 1996. Main outcome measures All cause mortality and mortality due to coronary heart disease an d stroke. Results Mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke was increased in m en on the day of the match (relative risk 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.0 8 to 2.09). No clear rise in mortality was observed for women (1.11, 0.80 t o 1.56). Among men, about 14 excess cardiovascular deaths occurred on the d ay of the match. Conclusion Important sporting events may provoke a sufficient level of stre ss to trigger symptomatic cardiovascular disease. The difference between me n and women requires further investigation.