Swiss fans get guide to avoid heart-stopping tension

By Iain Rogers

BERNE (Reuters) - The Swiss Heart Foundation has published a brochure advising fans how to avoid cardiac arrest at particularly stressful moments during games at Euro 2008.

Called "One-nil for the heart" and available in German, French and Italian, the brochure warns fans of the dangers of stress, increased alcohol consumption, smoking, calorie-rich foods and a lack of exercise.

Armchair fans are advised to do a spot of "dribbling" at halftime or to have an exercise bicycle in their room.

"You can drink a lot, but choose alcohol-free drinks, preferably water or cool tea," the brochure says.

"A red card for too much alcohol, tobacco and heavy, fatty foods."

A study conducted during the 2006 World Cup in Germany and published in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year showed that viewing a stressful match more than doubled the risk of an acute cardiovascular event.

Men with known coronary heart disease were particularly at risk, the study showed.

Switzerland were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Czech Republic in the tournament opener on Saturday. The co-hosts play Turkey on Wednesday in their second Group A game.

(Editing by Trevor Huggins)