Dr. Vo Hong Minh Cong, Deputy Director of Gia Dinh People's Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), said that the 2026 World Cup, with 104 matches taking place continuously over nearly six weeks, is a sporting event that attracts the attention of a large number of fans worldwide. However, because many matches take place late at night and early in the morning according to Vietnam time, staying up late to watch football can have many adverse effects on health.
According to Dr. Minh Cong, from a medical perspective, prolonged late-night hours disrupt the body's circadian rhythm. Numerous studies and professional reports show that sleep deprivation and irregular eating habits during major tournaments can promote metabolic disorders, increase blood pressure, and cause many other adverse changes.
"These factors increase the risk of stroke as well as cardiovascular events," Dr. Cong said.
Dr. Cong said that football is a sport with a special appeal, so the desire to watch exciting matches is perfectly legitimate. However, fans should have choices instead of trying to stay up to watch every single match.
Dr. Cong stated that the emotions experienced during each match can cause heart rate to increase and blood pressure to rise, especially in individuals with underlying conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease. These changes can increase the risk of serious health events.
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Vietnamese people have a habit of drinking beer and staying up late to cheer on football. Photo: Tuan Anh. |
To minimize negative impacts, Doctor Cong advises viewers to try to go to bed early, 1-2 hours before the match, to allow their bodies time to rest. If they work all day, have dinner, and then stay up late watching football, their health will be significantly affected.
In addition, there should be rest periods between matches to allow the body to recover. In reality, many people are so focused on watching the action on the field that they neglect the necessary rest. Meanwhile, the feeling of excitement and tension when watching their favorite team play can increase pressure on the cardiovascular system.
For people with hypertension, adhering to treatment during the World Cup is especially important. Doctor Cong noted that patients need to take their medication as prescribed by their doctor before watching the football matches.
"Many people forget to take their evening medication because they are too engrossed in watching the match. When combined with an agitated emotional state, blood pressure can rise, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events," Dr. Cong said.
According to Doctor Minh Cong, in many countries, people with a history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension are often advised to exercise caution when attending live cheering events at stadiums because excessive emotions can affect their health.
In addition to ensuring adequate sleep and adhering to treatment, fans also need to limit their alcohol consumption while watching matches. According to Doctor Cong, many people have a habit of drinking alcohol when their team wins or loses, leading to excessive alcohol consumption.
Alcohol abuse not only increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events but also affects the stomach, liver, and many other organs in the body.
Doctor Cong advises people to maintain a healthy lifestyle, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, take medication as prescribed, and limit alcohol consumption in order to both enjoy the exciting atmosphere of the World Cup and protect their health.
Source: https://znews.vn/nguy-co-dot-quy-vi-world-cup-post1659175.html







