Introduction:

Stress caused by football matches can have an effect on the general population. Reports about the association between soccer matches and cardiovascular diseases have been controversial.

Objective:

To evaluate cardiovascular events during the 2014 World Cup at a high level of complexity centre in Cali-Colombia.

Methods:

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in which cardiovascular event records were analysed in the Emergency Department during the 2014 World Cup, and compared with control periods.

Results:

A total of 812 patients were included for cardiovascular events on the World Cup dates vs control period. On days of matches involving the Colombian team, the incidence of cardiac emergencies was 0.91 times compared to the control period (95% CI 0.58-1.41, P=.33). During the days of matches played by the Colombian team, the incidence in male patients was 0.88 times compared to the control period (95% CI: 0.47-1.62, P=.33) and the incidence in female patients was 0.95 times compared to the control period (95% CI: 0.48-1.84, P=.44). During the 5 days in which Colombia played compared to the control period, the incidence rate for chest pain was 0.94, for rhythm disturbances it was 0.90, and 0.42 for cardiac arrest, with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion:

There was no greater incidence of cardiovascular events during the days of the World Cup or during the days of matches involving the Colombian team, although there was a tendency for a numerical decrease in incidence of these events.

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