
Can watching NHL playoffs give you a heart attack? What the science says
As the NHL playoffs heat up and three Canadian teams chase the Stanley Cup, fans across the country are riding an emotional roller-coaster — screaming at their televisions, biting their nails and in some cases, clutching their chests.
But could the stress of playoff hockey be doing more than just fraying nerves? Could it actually be harming hearts? Studies and experts suggest it just might — especially for fans with existing heart conditions.
'It most definitely can happen. It is rare, but it still happens. For people who are healthy, this isn't likely to be an issue at all,' said Scott Lear, a professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University.
'But somebody is excited watching a sporting event, it can be a case where they're so personally invested, their heart rate and blood pressure go up … and people who may not have good heart health or those diagnosed with heart disease, this can be problematic.'
Story continues below advertisement
He says he once treated a patient who couldn't watch Vancouver Canucks games anymore — the stress was so intense, it triggered chest pain.
This kind of emotional investment may have played out vividly on Sunday evening, as the Winnipeg Jets trailed the St. Louis Blues by two goals heading into the third period. Then, in a stunning turn, they scored twice — once with just 1.6 seconds left — to force overtime. Winnipeg erupted; St. Louis deflated.
Whether your team wins or loses, there's no denying it: playoff games can create an emotional and physiological roller-coaster for fans on both sides.
Lear pointed out that, while it's uncommon, a die-hard fan with underlying health problems who's yelling at the television, drinking beer and munching on chips could be setting themselves up for a heart attack.
Emotions and the heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Canada, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. And it's caused by a variety of reasons such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unhealthy diet, age, smoking and drinking.
Story continues below advertisement
But emotions and psychological stress have also been linked to serious heart issues, including heart attacks, irregular heartbeats and even sudden cardiac death.
View image in full screen
Toronto Maple Leafs fans gather to watch game three of the first round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Ottawa Senators in Maple Leafs Square at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. April 24, 2025. Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Studies have shown that watching intense sports games like soccer, rugby, baseball and hockey can increase the risk of heart problems, from chest pain and heart attacks to cardiac arrest. Add in some of the habits that often come with game day — like heavy drinking, greasy food and smoking — and the risk goes up even more, especially for fans who already have heart conditions.
Get weekly health news
Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'It is a thing. Watching the playoffs is a psychological stress, and these stresses can be extreme, but each person is different,' said Dr. Paul Dorian, a professor of medicine and cardiology at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
Story continues below advertisement
For example, in 2013, a Chicago Blackhawks fan had a heart attack while watching Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final against the Boston Bruins.
During the 2018 World Cup match between England and Colombia, some fans' Apple Watches reportedly flagged dangerously high heart rates.
My mates heart rate spiked during the England v Columbia shootout… his Apple Watch was worried about him.
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/P3BTtvBR1E
— ʍǝɹpuɐ (@AndrewDearling) July 3, 2018
New use of Apple Watch; seeing how high watching England can push my heart rate during penalty shoot outs 😳
— Claire Knight (@krider2010) July 3, 2018
Story continues below advertisement
The science of sport fan stress
A growing body of research suggests that watching high-stakes sports isn't just thrilling — it can be hard on the heart.
One 2015 study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology tracked heart-related hospital visits in New Zealand during Rugby World Cup tournaments. Win or lose, admissions jumped during the games. But after a loss by the All Blacks — New Zealand's national rugby team — hospital admissions, especially for heart failure, were 50 per cent higher. After a win, they tended to drop.
In 2020, researchers writing in Cardiology pointed to a similar pattern among die-hard soccer, rugby, football and baseball fans. They found that emotionally invested spectators, especially those with a history of coronary artery disease, face an elevated risk of cardiac events during major games.
View image in full screen
Detroit Lions fans cheer during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Data from 2017 showed just how reactive fans' bodies can be. When researchers monitored Montreal Canadiens supporters, they found heart rates doubled during games. The effect was even more intense for those attending in person, though viewers at home also experienced heart rate spikes similar to what you'd see during moderate physical activity.
Story continues below advertisement
'The study raises the potential that the emotional stress-induced response of viewing a hockey game can trigger adverse cardiovascular events on a population level. Therefore, the results have important public health implications,' senior investigator Prof. Paul Khair from the Montreal Heart Institute said in an accompanying press release.
'Our analysis of elements of the hockey game associated with peak heart rates supports the notion that it is not the outcome of the game that primarily determines the intensity of the emotional stress response, but rather the excitement experienced with viewing high-stakes or high-intensity portions of the game,' he said.
Then, in 2018, another study focused on what happens after the final buzzer. Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, it found a rise in heart attacks among men under 55 the day after a Canadiens win.
And during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, hospitals reported a 15 per cent increase in cardiovascular-related admissions during and just after matches, pointing again to the physical toll that emotional investment in sports can take.
Heart-smart fan tips
While heart attacks during high-stress sports events like the NHL playoffs are possible, both Dorian and Lear said they're very rare.
Story continues below advertisement
So no need to panic — just cheer responsibly.
'If someone is perfectly healthy, the chances are unbelievably low. If you are unhealthy, the risk is higher, but it's still quite low,' Dorian said.
4:38
Health Matters: How to manage playoff stress
Lear noted that added stressors — like overeating, drinking alcohol, hot weather or delaying treatment during a game — can compound the risk.
'If you feel the symptoms of a heart attack, don't wait until after the game to get help,' he said.
He also stressed the importance of overall heart health: staying active, managing risk factors like blood pressure and blood sugar and keeping medications like nitroglycerin close by if prescribed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


National Post
25 minutes ago
- National Post
What you need to know about the Abbotsford Canucks' Calder Cup chase
Here's your Calder Cup cheat sheet. Article content The Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers square off in the AHL's version of the Stanley Cup Finals starting Friday at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. The best-of-seven set shifts to the Abbotsford Centre on Tuesday, starting with Game 3. Article content Article content Here's all you need to know about the match-up between the top farm teams of the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. Article content WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE? Article content Game 1 goes Friday at Bojangles (affectionately known as The BOplex) with a 4 p.m. Pacific time start. Game 2 is there Sunday (1 p.m.), before the series moves to Abbotsford for Game 3 on Tuesday (7 p.m.), Game 4 on Thursday (7 p.m.), and then, if necessary, Game 5 on Saturday (6 p.m.). If required, Games 6 and 7 would be June 23 (4 p.m.) and June 25 (4 p.m.) back in North Carolina. Article content The Checkers' announced attendance average in the regular season was 6,964. Abbotsford was 4,152. The Canucks had an announced crowd of 6,983 for the 4-2 win over the visiting Texas Stars on Sunday that advanced Abbotsford to the final. Article content How we're stacking up against the Checkers in the Finals ⬇️ — X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 11, 2025 Article content Article content Article content The trophy was first handed out at the end of the AHL's inaugural season in 1936-37, and went to the Syracuse Stars after they beat the Philadelphia Ramblers in four games in a best-of-five finals. The league was eight teams back then. It's 32 now. Article content The trophy is named after Frank Calder. He's best known as the first president of the NHL — the league's Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie is named in his honour — but he was also instrumental in the formation of the AHL. Article content The Hershey Bears have won 13 Calder Cups, including claiming top spot the past two seasons prior to this one. They've been to 25 finals, with the first coming in 1941. The Bears are in the midst of their second stint as a Washington Capitals' affiliate. It began in 2005-06. Article content Article content Florida and Charlotte advancing to their respective league championship series marks the first time since 2008 that a single organization played it out for both trophies. That year, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in six games to the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell in six games to the Chicago Wolves in for the Calder Cup.


Vancouver Sun
32 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
What you need to know about the Abbotsford Canucks' Calder Cup chase
Here's your Calder Cup cheat sheet. The Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers square off in the AHL's version of the Stanley Cup Finals starting Friday at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. The best-of-seven set shifts to the Abbotsford Centre on Tuesday, starting with Game 3. Here's all you need to know about the match-up between the top farm teams of the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Game 1 goes Friday at Bojangles (affectionately known as The BOplex) with a 4 p.m. Pacific time start. Game 2 is there Sunday (1 p.m.), before the series moves to Abbotsford for Game 3 on Tuesday (7 p.m.), Game 4 on Thursday (7 p.m.), and then, if necessary, Game 5 on Saturday (6 p.m.). If required, Games 6 and 7 would be June 23 (4 p.m.) and June 25 (4 p.m.) back in North Carolina. The Checkers' announced attendance average in the regular season was 6,964. Abbotsford was 4,152. The Canucks had an announced crowd of 6,983 for the 4-2 win over the visiting Texas Stars on Sunday that advanced Abbotsford to the final. How we're stacking up against the Checkers in the Finals ⬇️ The trophy was first handed out at the end of the AHL's inaugural season in 1936-37, and went to the Syracuse Stars after they beat the Philadelphia Ramblers in four games in a best-of-five finals. The league was eight teams back then. It's 32 now. The trophy is named after Frank Calder. He's best known as the first president of the NHL — the league's Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie is named in his honour — but he was also instrumental in the formation of the AHL. The Hershey Bears have won 13 Calder Cups, including claiming top spot the past two seasons prior to this one. They've been to 25 finals, with the first coming in 1941. The Bears are in the midst of their second stint as a Washington Capitals' affiliate. It began in 2005-06. For those scoring at home, the Stanley Cup was first presented in 1893. Florida and Charlotte advancing to their respective league championship series marks the first time since 2008 that a single organization played it out for both trophies. That year, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in six games to the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell in six games to the Chicago Wolves in for the Calder Cup. Fun fact? Canucks skills coach Jason Krog led the way for those Wolves, and was voted the playoff's most valuable player. He had 12 goals and 38 points in just 24 postseason games. The Panthers and Checkers are trying to make Florida the first franchise to be double champions since 1995, when the New Jersey Devils and Albany River Rats were both successful. Another fun fact? Charlotte coach Geordie Kinnear was a defenceman on that Albany team. Calder Cup Finals Game 1 Friday 7 PM ET @CheckersHockey vs @abbycanucks Watch for FREE on Facebook, X and YouTube! DETAILS: @FlaPanthers | @Canucks #AHL #CalderCup #TimeToHunt #ProudlyAbbotsford #Canucks The Checkers feature one-time Edmonton Oilers top prospect Jesse Puljujärvi, former Canuck Will Lockwood and Vancouver Giants alum Justin Sourdif. Charlotte (44-22-3-3) finished second in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the league overall in the regular season. Abbotsford (44-24-2-2) was second in the Pacific Division and fifth in the league overall, two points behind Charlotte. Charlotte and Abbotsford never met in the regular season. Charlotte had a bye in the opening round and they have had back-to-back sweeps. With that, Charlotte has played 12 games (10-2) in these playoffs while Abbotsford is at 18 (12-6). CHECK OUT THIS SCHEDULE ⬇️ The Abbotsford Canucks will host the Charlotte Checkers at home on June 17, 19 and 21 if necessary in their battle for the Calder Cup! LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE | On Wednesday morning, Ticketmaster had a handful of seats available for Game 3. It had Game 4 as sold out, and the if-necessary Game 5 with just two single seats available. StubHub had a handful of tickets for Game 3 available, with $123 per ticket as the lowest price. If you can't get there live, games are streamed on FloHockey. FloHockey announced Wednesday morning that they are streaming Game 1 on Friday for free on YouTube, as well as Facebook and X. You'll need to subscribe to FloHockey to stream the reminder of the series . They list a monthly subscription for $39.99. Check out their website for more details, though. Sportsnet 650 has also been carrying the series on the radio. The Canadian Brewhouse in Abbotsford (3122 Mount Lehman ) hosted watch parties in the last round for the away games and plans to do the same again. There is bound to be other spots willing to put the game on the big screen. Check with your favourite establishment. The AHL Store online has a full selection of Western Conference and Calder Cup. There's also a team store at the Abbotsford Centre . @SteveEwen sewen@


Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Sky's the limit for Julien
Jacob Julien couldn't have scripted a better ending to his junior hockey career. The 20-year-old Winnipeg Jets prospect played a prominent role in bringing the Memorial Cup back to his hometown, capping off a terrific playoff run by scoring in the winner-take-all game as his London Knights beat the Medicine Hat Tigers earlier this month. 'It's what you dream of,' Julien told the Free Press on Wednesday in a telephone chat. 'You grow up watching London win the Memorial Cup a couple times and then to actually be a part of it and win it yourself with your team, I couldn't be happier.' CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Jacob Julien (right) had the go-ahead goal for the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Julien finished the four-team tournament with four points (2G, 2A) in five games after racking up 19 points (6G, 13A) in 17 earlier playoff games as London ultimately claimed the Ontario Hockey League championship. Being a point-per-game player at the most important time of the year would suggest Julien was able to find another gear. 'Playoff time is crucial, so to be able to help any way I could, that's all I was trying to do,' said Julien, who was also a key part of the leadership group as an alternate captain. 'Whether it was offensively or defensively.' There's no question Julien is one of the more intriguing players in the Jets pipeline. The left-shooting centre has plenty of size — he's six-foot-four and 190 pounds — along with some serious skill. After being selected by Winnipeg in the fifth round in 2023, Julien had a monster 2023-24 campaign with 78 points (29G, 49A) in 67 regular-season games. London is also an NHL development factory, led by veteran head coach Dale Hunter and general manager and owner Mark Hunter. The Knights made it to the Memorial Cup last spring but ultimately fell short. Second time turned out to be the charm. At first glance, Julien's stats from this past year might suggest he took a small step backwards, as he had 54 points (11G, 43A) in 65 regular-season games. However, that doesn't tell the whole story. His role changed on a loaded London team, with less top line and top power-play work. More defensive responsibilities also came his way, which he embraced. Essentially, Julien became a better two-way player which should help serve him well going forward. 'I think I got off to a bit of a rockier start than what I wanted. To be able to look back and play well throughout the playoffs at the end of the season, I was really happy with how it ended,' he said. He was in constant communication with the Jets organization, specifically Jimmy Roy and Mike Keane who work in player development. 'They're the best development guys in the league,' said Julien. 'They were around the rink and texting with me, just making sure I was always doing well and doing what I needed to do.' Julien also kept in close touch with a pair of fellow Jets prospects competing in the OHL — 19-year-olds Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs) and Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves). 'We texted each other quite a bit over the year. Win or lose you gotta always say 'Hi' to the other guys,' he said. Julien admitted there were plenty of emotions on display following the Memorial Cup victory as he said goodbye to his teammates for the final time. 'After the final game everyone was excited but it's a sad thing, right? To be able to end it on a win was obviously a tremendous opportunity that we had. I couldn't ask for a better way to go out,' he said. Now, the focus turns to his pro career. Up first will the Jets development camp at the Hockey For All Centre which is slated for early next month. Then it will be on to training camp in September and likely starting things off with the Manitoba Moose. 'Super excited for the next step. I'm going to be able to develop well wherever I play. I'm ready to go,' said Julien, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract this past March with an average annual value in the NHL of US$925,000. Obviously the NHL is the main goal, but having the AHL club under the same roof as the big boys is a blessing. 'It creates a great atmosphere all the time. To be able to be around the NHL guys, the veterans and all that,' he said. Julien hasn't touched his equipment since capturing the championship, wanting to take a bit of a breather following a gruelling campaign. He'll get back on the ice soon, with a continued focus on improving his skating and also his defensive zone play. 'I think we played 90 games in total. But with the group we had, everyone worked hard and got it done. It was so exciting and fun to come to the rink. The games kind of flew by,' he said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'It's a little bit more condensed of a summer. But we'll have a good summer and get ready for the season.' Although he had his own busy schedule to focus on, Julien admitted he was keeping a close eye on what was happening with the Jets this season and was captivated by all that occurred — especially in the playoffs. That only increased his hunger to get to Winnipeg. 'It was electric,' he said. 'I was watching when they scored with two seconds left (in Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues) and I almost jumped off my couch. They had a great season, and to be able to come into the organization now, I'm really excited.' X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike. Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.