A German study has found that soccer fans had more than on the seven days when the German team played in the 2006 World Cup, the overall number of cardiac emergencies was more than double the norm and for men it tripled.

"Viewing a stressful soccer match more than doubles the risk of an acute cardiovascular event," wrote the German researchers in their study. "In view of this excess risk, particularly in men with known coronary heart disease, preventive measures are urgently needed."

This means that similar effects will be also seen during the Super Bowl game today.

"I know a little bit about the Super Bowl," study author Dr. Gerhard Steinbeck of Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich said in a telephone interview with Xinhua. "It's reasonable to think that something quite similar might happen."

The German study has looked at 4,279 patients in 2003, 2005 and during the 2006 World Cup competition in Germany. As expected, the consequences took a heavier toll on people with known heart disease. Potential causes are stress,  lack of sleep, overeating, wolfing down junk food, boozing and smoking.

The New England Patriots will play against New York Giants in today's game which is set to kick off at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, at 6:17 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Pats are apparently all set to become the first team to go undefeated from the start of the regular season through the Super Bowl since the Miami Dolphins went 17-0 in 1972. The Patriots already set a record this season by putting up 589 points, most in NFL history.

So, if you are emotional about the Super Bowl and have heart problems, you might ask your doctor about drugs to help you get through this historic event in good shape.