During the NFC divisional playoffs, some fans were so excited their Apple Watches thought they were having a heart attack.

Published: February 2, 2018 | Updated: June 4, 2024

The big game is this weekend! Anything could happen, from halftime show hijinks to breathtaking finishes. Could all the excitement give you a heart attack?

During the National Football Conference (NFC) divisional playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings secured a last-minute, nail-biting win over the New Orleans Saints. Some fans were so excited their Apple Watches thought they were having a heart attack.

Several fans posted on social media about their devices signaling their at-rest heart rates rose above 120 beats per minute during the game’s finish, which could have been a sign of a heart attack. While those sports fans reported they were OK, how do you know if you’re just experiencing heart-pounding excitement and not a heart attack?

Is it a heart attack?

Heart attack symptoms vary between men and women, but you’ll want to look out for:

• Chest discomfort with heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness or squeezing pain
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, left shoulder, neck, back, throat, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Sudden fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness or lightheadedness
• Cold sweat or perspiration
• Unexplained anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Increased heart rate

Why do I have to call 911 — can’t someone drive me to the hospital?

Eighty-five percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack. Being transported in an ambulance is crucial to keeping the damage to your heart at a minimum. Transit time in an ambulance is important because first responders can start life-saving medications, perform an EKG and alert the hospital to activate the heart team. Cardiac arrest can occur at any time during a heart attack, and you won’t have access to life-saving measures in a car.