A matter of life and death: population mortality and football results.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether football results are associated with mortality from circulatory disease. DESIGN Retrospective study, comparing mortality on days of football matches between 18 August 1994 and 28 December 1999 with the results of the football matches. SETTING Newcastle and North Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees, and Leeds Health Authority areas of England. SUBJECTS All persons resident in Newcastle and North Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees, and Leeds Health Authority areas of England. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction and stroke. RESULTS On days when the local professional football team lost at home, mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction and stroke increased significantly in men (relative risk 1.28, 95% confidence intervals 1.11 to 1.47). No increase was observed in women. CONCLUSIONS Results achieved by the local professional football team are associated systematically with circulatory disease death rates over a five year period in men, but not women.