from the CP at Sportsnet,

With hockey season now underway, here’s something for fans to take to heart: a new study suggests the excitement of watching one’s favourite team, either live or on TV, can have a profound effect on the cardiovascular system, in some cases even doubling the heart rate.

The study by the Montreal Heart Institute, which monitored the heart rates of Montreal Canadiens fans during games, found that those watching on TV had an average increase of 75 per cent, while those attending a live game saw an average spike in their heartbeats of 110 per cent.

"Our results indicate that viewing a hockey game can be the source of an intense emotional stress, as manifested by marked increases in heart rate," said cardiologist Dr. Paul Khairy, the study’s senior investigator.

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