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EXCITEMENT CAUSES HEART ATTACKS

Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

On June 22, 1996, 60 percent of people in the Netherlands watched the European Soccer championships in which France beat their team on penalty kicks in overtime. And the death rate from heart attacks for middle-aged men increased by 150 percent.

Previous studies show that exercise, overeating, smoking, and drinking alcohol can trigger heart attacks. More than 1000 law suits have already been placed in United States Courts, claiming that Viagra, the drug used to treat impotence, causes heart attacks, even though there are no studies to show that it does. Heart attacks are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart and Viagra increases blood flow. This study shows that watching a football game causes strong emotions that can cause heart attacks in people who already suffer from arteriosclerosis. So Viagra may cause heart attacks by allowing impotent men to become excited and make love long enough to push their hearts beyond their capacity.

BMJ 2000;321:1552-1554 (23 December ). Cardiovascular mortality in Dutch men during 1996 European football championship: longitudinal population study. Daniel R Witte, PhD student, Michiel L Bots, assistant professor of epidemiology, Arno W Hoes, professor of clinical epidemiology, Diederick E Grobbee, professor of clinical epidemiology.

Checked 8/31/05