| By Nick Bryant |
 Aussies took World Cup qualification in their stride |
British and Europeans are much more prone to suffer heart problems after watching nail-biting games than their Aussie counterparts, a study shows.
It found no increase in cardiac-related hospital admissions during two big sports events among Australians.
In contrast, previous studies have shown that European hospitals reported a big upsurge in admissions during games in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup.
The Sydney University studyteam examined hospital admission rates around the time of two exciting matches watched by thousands of people.
The first was the 2005 Australian Rules grand final between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles, which went down to the final kick.
The second was the key World Cup qualifying match between Australia and Uruguay, which saw the "socceroos" qualify for the finals for the first time in 32 years after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
The match was watched by 82,000 spectators at the Telstra Stadium and millions more in front of public big screens and televisions at home.
The researchers examined the number of heart-related admissions at New South Wales hospitals on the days of both matches, and discovered there had been no increase in the number of patients suffering cardiac problems.
European effect
In contrast, a UK study found the risk of admission for heart attacks rose by 25% in the immediate wake of England's World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina in 1998 on penalties.
Doctors reported 55 extra admissions compared with the number expected.
The UK report concluded: "The increase in admissions suggests that myocardial infarction (heart attacks) can be triggered by emotional upset, such as watching your football team lose an important match."
The Sydney team said their research suggested that the stereotype of the laid back Aussie had some validity.
They also proffered a simpler reason: the number of times that Australia ends up on the winning side, especially when it comes to cricket.
As lead researcher Professor Adrian Bauman wrote in the Medical Journal of Australia: "Overall, it is probably safe for the Australian population to watch telly over the Christmas break - even to watch the Ashes test series - with minimal increased cardiac risk.
"We are likely to win, anyway. No worries mate."
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