Risk of heart problems higher during stressful sporting events

CLEVELAND - LeBron James' first game at Quicken Loans Arena since he defected to the Miami Heat could create health problems for some fans.

Cleveland Clinic cardiologist David Frid, M.D. said there's clinical evidence that watching a stressful sporting event can raise your risk of an acute cardiovascular event.

He said your heart rate goes up, your blood pressure goes up, and your adrenaline increases.

"When these things happen, it's more likely to cause a blockage or a cholesterol plaque to rupture and that can cause a cardiac event," he said.

It's important to know your numbers and whether you are at risk of cardiovascular disease.

"But it can be for anybody because there are a lot of people out there who are at high risk who don't know that they are," he warned.

According to a German study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine,  viewing a stressful soccer match more than doubled the risk of an acute cardiovascular event.

The authors suggested that in light of this excess risk, particularly in men with known coronary heart disease, should take preventive measures.

Dr. Frid suggested Cavs fans emotional about LeBron's return dial it down a bit.

"Maybe you need to limit how excited you really get if you do have underlying heart problems," he said.