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

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.