Chicago Bears fans have coined a new nickname for this season’s team, the “Cardiac Bears,” and cardiologists say it is more than a clever turn of phrase.
With a string of fourth-quarter comebacks and last-minute victories, the Bears have made weekends especially stressful for fans, including Dr. Ryan Lahey, a lifelong supporter and cardiologist at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital. As the Bears prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at 5:30 p.m., Lahey said the emotional highs and lows of game day can have real effects on the heart.
“Lifelong Bears fans like me know the team hasn’t been this exciting to watch in years,” Lahey said. “Fourth-quarter comebacks have been their hallmark all season, especially against big rivals like the Packers. As we get deeper into the playoffs, the emotional stakes only get higher, and our hearts respond to that excitement in a very real way.”
When fans erupt in celebration or sink into disappointment, their bodies react much like they would during short bursts of intense physical activity, Lahey said.
“An intense emotional experience, like watching a fourth-quarter comeback and victory, causes a rush of adrenaline,” he said. “That hormone triggers your heart to beat harder and faster and your breathing to quicken, similar to doing a sprint or jumping jacks.”
Most healthy people experience temporary changes that resolve quickly once the excitement fades. Individuals with underlying heart disease or undiagnosed conditions face higher risk during those adrenaline-fueled moments, which can increase the chance of arrhythmias, chest pain or other cardiac symptoms.
One challenge, Lahey said, is that many people do not realize they have heart disease until stress exposes it.
“It’s not uncommon for someone to have high blood pressure or other cardiac conditions and feel fine day to day,” he said. “Then a stressful event happens, and that’s when symptoms show up.”
Warning signs of a serious heart problem include chest pain that does not go away, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, nausea, vomiting or sweating that persists for more than a few minutes. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek emergency care immediately, Lahey said.
Despite the risks, Lahey emphasized that being a Bears fan is not all bad for the heart. The social side of football Sundays can actually be beneficial.
“There’s something powerful about rooting for the Bears at a party or a bar, surrounded by friends, family or even complete strangers,” he said. “That sense of community and shared experience contributes to overall well-being.”
Still, he cautioned that celebrations often come with alcohol and game-day foods high in sodium and saturated fat, which can strain the heart when combined with stress.
“Enjoy responsibly and in moderation,” Lahey said.
To counteract game-day stress, Lahey recommends simple breathing techniques during tense moments, such as slow, deep breaths to help bring heart rate down. He also encourages fans to pay attention to their bodies and discuss any concerning symptoms with a primary care provider or cardiologist, even if they pass quickly.
Beyond game day, Lahey said fans can protect their hearts by staying active year-round.
“Don’t just be a spectator,” he said. “Get out there and exercise for your own mental, physical and heart health. We know people who exercise two to three hours per week are much less likely to have heart problems down the road.”
As kickoff approaches Sunday evening, Lahey admitted he is hoping for a less dramatic outcome.
“The excitement is fun,” he said, “but a comfortable win wouldn’t hurt. Hearts across Chicagoland could use a little relief.”