Heart Attacks & Other Cardiovascular Diseases Surge During Super Bowl, Warn Dignity Health Cardiac Experts

(STOCKTON, CA) February 7, 2024 –  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. with one person dying every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease in our country, which equates to 700,000 lives taken each year. During high-stress situations, the risk of developing a cardiac event such as a heart attack increases significantly.

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, cardiac experts at Dignity Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center (SJMC) recognize the potentially harmful effects that the increase in stress and unhealthy dietary options associated with this event can have on the cardiovascular system.

“While the Super Bowl is a day many look forward to every year, it is crucial to be mindful of additional stressors you can experience during the game,” explains Joann Marks, RN, MSN, Director of the Morrissey Family Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. “The heightened stress levels and dietary decisions can potentially lead to various heart conditions, including heart attacks and atrial fibrillation.”

In fact, numerous studies have shown that a significant rise in cardiac emergencies take place during the Super Bowl, particularly among those rooting for the losing team. Additionally, the types of foods eaten during the game tend to be loaded in saturated fats and other foods that contribute to higher cholesterol, increases in blood pressure and overall greater risk factors for heart attacks.

“Through keeping an eye on your stress level, making healthy choices on food intake and minimizing alcohol consumption, you can take simple steps to maintain heart health while embracing the excitement of the Super Bowl and spending the day with loved ones,” adds Marks.

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About St. Joseph’s Medical Center:

Dignity Health St. Joseph's Medical Center is a not-for-profit, fully accredited, regional hospital with 355 beds, a physician staff of over 700, and more than 2,700 employees. Specializing in cardiovascular care, comprehensive cancer services, and women and children's services, St. Joseph's is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. As a Sponsoring Institution for Graduate Medical Education, St. Joseph’s supports rapidly growing educational programs for both resident physicians and medical students. In addition to being nationally recognized as a quality leader, St. Joseph's is consistently chosen as the "most preferred hospital" by local consumers. St. Joseph's is the largest hospital, as well as one of the largest private employers in San Joaquin County. Founded in 1899 by Fr. William O'Connor and administered by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, St. Joseph's continues to lead the region in medical innovation. St. Joseph's Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health/CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit Catholic health system with care sites across 21 states dedicated to advancing health for all people. For more information, please visit DignityHealth.org/Stockton.