Ariadne Massa
Elections can kill – study
Deadlier than football
General elections in Malta are such heart-racing, nail-biting events that the chance of suffering a heart attack or dying during this period escalate drastically, according to a unique study.
Hospital admissions for heart attacks and angina were significantly higher in the weeks before and after the 2008 election, while deaths from coronary heart disease practically doubled the week after the result was out.
This is the first study of its kind anywhere in the world that measures the impact political elections have on the heart, further confirming the relationship between stress and heart attacks.
The study, Acute Cardiac Coronary Events and Stress Generated at a Population Level, was conducted by a five-strong team led by cardiologist Mark Sammut and submitted recently as part of his M.Phil.
Fresh from a year’s fellowship in Germany where he was studying electrophysiology – the electrical function of the heart, Dr Sammut told The Sunday Times the data that emerged was even more unique because it was measured on a national level.
It would be hard to replicate this study anywhere else. Malta, he said, provided the ideal scenario for this study as there was just one general hospital, and a general election provided the ideal stressor as it sparked a high degree of passion and emotion.
The fact there was such a high voter turnout on the island also helped.
Dr Sammut said four control periods were chosen to track cardiac events – the 2008 election period, taking four weeks before and two weeks after the result; six weeks during the Euro 2008 football tournament as another stressor; and two quiet periods where there were no obvious stressors: six weeks before the election and the football matches, and one year after the election.
“It turns out that elections can kill you and football is better for your heart,” Dr Sammut said.
The study revealed that the number of people admitted with acute cardiac coronary events during the 2008 election period soared to 184, compared to 127 during the Euro 2008 football championship.
During the quieter control periods, admissions stood at 117 and 130, clearly showing the tense general election got hearts palpitating faster, landing them in hospital or the morgue – and these people were never susceptible to heart disease.
There were 25 people who died of a heart attack in the week after the 2008 general election, compared to 13 deaths during the Euro 2008 and 12 each in the other two quieter periods.
“People would have made bets and after the election result they would be settling their debts, which can be one of the reasons behind the deaths,” Dr Sammut said.
The 2008 election was particularly more stressful, because the result was so close and more drawn out – with just a 1,500-vote majority, the Nationalist Party claimed a wafer-thin victory in the closest general election result since 1966.
“The results are important from a medical point of view because they confirm that stressful events can and do increase the incidence of heart attacks at a national level,” he said.
The results have been so encouraging that Dr Sammut said he was considering replicating this study during the upcoming general election to glean more data.
It was important for doctors and health authorities to be aware of this study, he said, and warn people that excess stress was bad for their heart’s health.
“It is important we realise that excess stress can harm you and people should avoid getting so worked up during a general election.
“An election is not a matter of life or death, but its effects can be deadly.”
The team working on this study included Prof. Joseph Cacciottolo, Prof. Albert Fenech, Dr Kathleen England, and Dr Neville Calleja.
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54 Comments
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Mr Peter Korsten
Jan 2nd, 17:47
The obvious solution is to stop having elections. :)
Matthew Grima
Jan 5th, 16:46
*Like*
Henry Mifsud
Jan 2nd, 06:58
Who commissioned this unique study and who paid for it? Please tell me that it was not done at the taxpayers' expense. Otherwise I am going to have a heart attack.
Christina Pace
Jan 2nd, 09:11
If you read the article: "The study, Acute Cardiac Coronary Events and Stress Generated at a Population Level, was conducted by a five-strong team led by cardiologist Mark Sammut and submitted recently as part of his M.Phil." you would know that being part of his M.Phil he would have probably had to expense out of pocket but never mind what the study of course revealed about Maltese society and health. That is to you less important than money.
Vincent Cassar
Jan 2nd, 14:43
Dear Mr Mifsud you are more worried about who paid for this study (which as Ms Pace pointed it out this was part of an M Phil study hence paid directly from the pockets of Dr Sammut) rather than paying more attention to the outcome of this study! Well done Dr Sammut definetly a valuable piece of information for our authorties. If our health is your care then we are meant to see less money and fervent invested in these elections or am I totally wrong on this latter one?
Mariella Galea
Jan 2nd, 06:50
Of course they can kill! especially if you bet your money!, your House! etc! have these questions been asked? The only time that I will shout and have that expression is when I win a Million Euro!
AND
How come this study was published now? is this a an excuse of a message telling us that it's better not to have an election cause we might die of a heart attack?
What I call it is a new way of leading the people from the nose and something to start roumours on for the popolin!
Christina Pace
Jan 2nd, 09:15
Data collected needs to be inputed in digital media, processed for a compouter to make sense of it, rule out other variables and then conclusions drawn from it. Moreover a study takes time to write, especially if you already are a cardiologist on an island were the incidence of heart disease is so high due to the people's lack of bother, you will not have the time to finish this quickly. Hence the 2ish years Ms. Galea.
John F. Galea
Jan 2nd, 04:40
I applaud and fully concur with earlier comments by Mr. Joseph Calleja. He has hit the nail on the head. Perhaps I may add that people have heart attacks on knowing that we have sixty five parliamentarians for little tiny Malta, when thirty nine would suffice. The rest all pretending to be busy bodies helping the electorate when in actual fact their intention is only to look with their eyes in their pockets.
The number of back benchers should be lessened and those that remain should be lessoned. Those in office should dedicate more time to the well being of the Maltese in general. They should dwell and delve deeper into the problem of non EU's living and working, many illegally on our islands. An investigation probing on the number of stay and work permits being issued and annually extended to non EU's should be undertaken soonest. Abuses are rampant and immediate deportation should be enforced.
Leaders should take note and act upon. This would help the hard working heads of maltese families who are finding it extremely difficult to find work. The intruding illegal foreigner is stealthy robbing the locals of job opportunities without paying any taxes, national insurance or value added tax. ETC inspectorate should be more vigilant in the exercise of their duties on work sites, without any fear or favour. Perhaps we should ask Brussels to question the Government on the high number of permits issued to non EUs.
fredu debono
Jan 1st, 22:38
nahseb li jekk jitla l-partit nazzjonalista aktar imutu nies ghax tant ilhom tal-labour iwebbluhom li se jirbhu huma li ma jifilhuhiex telfa ohra zgur. bhal ma gara fl-2008, tant kienu accertawhom li qedin fil-vantagg u li se jirbhu huma li kien hawn min tilef kollox ghax laghbhom. ma jafux ghadhom li l-poplu ahjar jaf li mhux qied 100% milli jivvota lill xi hadd li jkun qied johlom.
J.C. Borg
Jan 1st, 20:39
It-would be interesting to know why these people had a heart attack or failure.
Was it by despair or overjoy??
John Debono
Jan 1st, 19:23
MA DAN IL-GVERN NAFU FEJN QEDIN MAL IEHOR HREJJEF BISS SMAJNA ,IL-LEJN IT TAJJEB!!!!!!!!!!
A Xiberras
Jan 1st, 23:33
fejn qieghdin sur Debono? fis-7 sema zgur...
Zagroma Savrene
Jan 1st, 19:16
This only happens if you are a complete puppet of either party who are only interested in their reputation and pockets first and foremost, not you.
John Debono
Jan 1st, 19:13
MA DAN IL-GVERN NAFU FEJN QEDIN MAL IEHOR HREJJEF BISS SMAJNA ,IL-LEJN IT TAJJEB!!!!!!!!!!
Wilfred Camilleri
Jan 1st, 19:02
That will be the day! Dying for politicians of any stripe is not something I will ever do. Most don't deserve even a little heartache.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 1st, 17:51
The 500 euro per week from 2008 for the famous fourteen must have given some people heart aches.
M. Bezzina
Jan 1st, 17:31
Jekk jitla l Gonz nahseb se jkun aw xeba deaths!!!
J.C. Borg
Jan 1st, 20:38
Fil-kaz tort taghkom ikun ghax ilkom mill 2008 twieghdu elezzjoni bikrija, bit tama li titilghu inthom.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 1st, 15:52
Give us all a break Docs. I wonder if you took the time to study how many new births occur nine months after these ridiculous stresses you mention? Us Maltese seem to stress at every opportunity we get, especially if it involves politics and religion, it is in our genes.. We seem to be high tempered people and love to argue every point till death, just for the sake of arguing. We are Maltese, we seem to get upset with every little thing, it's in the blood Docs. People get heart attacks when they cannot pay their bills at the end of the month because of the high cost of utilities. People get heart attacks when they do not have enough food to feed their families or not enough money to pay their rent. People get heart attacks when they see their government squandering millions of euros. People get heart attacks when they see their politicians very discreetly rewarding themselves with an Honoraria raise and a 500 euro per week raise. People get heart attacks because they cannot afford to own a boathouse or a summer place by the beach. So in other words Doc you are telling us not to get excited during election time? Very politely, Hoss fl-ilma. People get heart attacks when they see the corruption in our prisons and when they see the disarray in our courts. Oh by the way Docs: Who is paying for this study? Would it be the TAX PAYER? Now that is why people get heart attacks. People get heart attacks waiting on a stage for Arriva for hours on end. People get heart attacks when they see the waste of TAX PAYERS Money being spent on City Gate and the Magnificent Topless Opera House. People get heart attacks when they see the National Airline almost driven into an almost bankruptcy by the government and the incompetent management. People get heart attacks because of the high salaries our government is paying foreigners at Air Malta because we are CWIEC. People get heart attacks when they are told that their job is not there anymore and they have to go find another place to earn a living. I think I better stop before I give myself a heart attack, and I was just getting started.. Happy New Year, and please to all Maltese Voters, remember politics can kill you.
David Mizzi
Jan 1st, 15:27
Election fever.... hmmm.... get ready for another study ... the "ultimatum" has expired !!!
Victor Vella
Jan 1st, 15:07
There is no need of elections to kill us. The PN regime already killed us except those parasites who have it so good.
Giovann Demartino
Jan 1st, 16:32
for example?
Mr Tommy Vella
Jan 1st, 16:44
Dead men don't write ... or do they?
Giovann Demartino
Jan 1st, 18:45
Millions and millions of euro spent at Christmas time on food, drinks, cigarettes, entertainment......millions contributed towards l-istrina, dar tal-Providenza, political parties....millions' worth of bonds snatched in a few hours....Have a look at the world news and see for yourself.
Giovann Demartino
Jan 2nd, 18:12
Kemm ingabru? Xi hames miljuni f'gimgha? Veru qeridna dal gvern. Min jaf il-lejburisti kemm ferhu meta raw dawk l-eluf dehlin.
Giovann Demartino
Jan 2nd, 18:31
Is-Sur Vella ghadnu ragun. Il-lejber tant tilef elezzjonijiet li jekk hu veru li elections can kill, allura kienu eluf ta' laburisti li mietu b'attakk tal-qalb Fenech Adami u Gonzi hatja ta' qtil involontarju!
Anthony Formosa
Jan 1st, 12:02
So now it's not a joke anymore when FKNK said that people died when hunting and trapping were banned, followed by a number of suicides.
Edward Camilleri
Jan 1st, 13:20
I never said its a joke, its just that if they really committed a suicide because hunting/trapping was banned, then they cannot be trusted with a gun or any other weapon.
Jonathan Caruana
Jan 1st, 11:41
Joqtluk imma l-PN fil-gvern!!!
Mr Tommy Vella
Jan 1st, 14:14
Dan il-kumment minn fejn bgħattu mill-ġenna jew mill-infern?
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 1st, 17:53
@Caruana.
Ghandek ragun. Gonzi issa ghandu it-tabella ta' l-aghar prim ministru mill-gwerra l-ghawn.
Peter Azzopardi
Jan 1st, 11:41
Saret xi ricerka kemm kienu mietu nies meta 'l Liverpool kienu rebhu ic Champions League min fuq Milan fin 2005??? Ha Ha HA is sena it t tajba. You'll Never Walk Alone.
Ms.D. Galea
Jan 1st, 11:41
A friend of mine who encounters alcohol-dependent people on a daily basis says that relapses increase dramatically during election time, as does gambling (imhatri) . Stress-related illnesses skyrocket during said period too.
Doris Farrugia
Jan 1st, 11:26
It's not the election fever that comes around roughly every five years but the stress is every time I check the bank account and check and recheck where I'm spending the monthly salary.No frills,no eating out but the salary seems to vanish.That's the real stress our family is going through right now and I think there should be a study regarding this topic.
M. Zammit
Jan 1st, 12:42
look at the bright side. At least you have a job. There are 50 per cent of young people in Spain, for example, without a job. The rate of suicides has risen, it has been reported. Happy new year!!
R. Cilia
Jan 1st, 14:31
The way you reason M.Zammit is like going to a dentist with a toothache and the dentist telling you 'Don't moan,there are toothless persons, you know?' :)
Albert Bezzina
Jan 1st, 11:11
Il-lallu, gimgha w nofs ta' attakki tal qalb minhabba politika imuwtu daqs kemm imuti f-incidenti tat-traffiku f-sena shiha!
mario salnitro
Jan 1st, 10:33
Sure ,especially people who will loose if they are on the loosing end.!!!
Tonio Bone
Jan 1st, 10:14
Was this study really necessary? Stress is the biggest killer today, with or without elections! Don't think elections have that affect on me, at the end of the day, I still have to go to work in the aftermath of any result!
Kevin Bonello
Jan 1st, 10:05
u kemm hawn nies li daqt imutu biddwejjaq ax zdiedulom lispejjez u dhul baqa kwazi l istess?! Temnu li lbierah 4pm ibbukjajt l ikla ta lewwel tassena f lukanda (5 star) mill ewwel ax kien baqalom post.. Mbad nghidu li in nies johorgu u jiddevertu ghax ghandom il flus!
Henry Spiteri
Jan 1st, 11:39
L-ispejjeż żdiedu sew f'dawn l-aħħar snin imma d-divertiment f'dawn iż-zminijiet inbidel ferm. Mhux bil-fors biex diddeverti tmur f'xi lukanda ta' ħames stilel.Ilbieraħ eluf ħarġu biex jiddevertu l-aħħar tas-sena u jaf nefqu inqas milli marru xi ristorant jew f'lukanda.
Is-sena t-tajba lil kulhadd.
Joe Calleja
Jan 1st, 15:27
Prosit Sur Bonello! Sinjal li INT ghandek flus biex tiddeverti u tiekol f'lukanda 5 STAR ! INT zgur m'intix tbati l-guh! Mhux hekk! Mela ghalfejn qed tparla zejjed?! Mort lukandi ohra biex tara s-sitwazzjoni? Illum hawn l-GHAZLA sinjur, mhux bhal qabel! Mela jekk taghmel ix-xita f'Ghajn Zuta, ifisser li bilfors qed taghmel kullimkien?!
Alex Coppola
Jan 1st, 17:48
Prosit Mr. Calleja - you hit the nail on the head very well said
Albert Farrugia
Jan 1st, 10:02
..and then they tell us that life in Malta under the PN has "normalised"...that we are now so "different" than the terrible 70s and 80s....happy new year anyway...
Mr Tommy Vella
Jan 1st, 14:16
Fejn taf x'kien ikun ir-riżultat kieku l-istudju sar f'Diċembru 1981 jew f'Mejju 1987?
Mr Kevin Pirotta
Jan 1st, 09:50
An excellent study , the validation of which, is no doubt backed by the amount of England football supporters admitted to hospital in summer 2006 as Italy marched to World Cup glory .
Happy New Year all ;-)
Charles Sammut
Jan 1st, 10:00
Mr Kevin Pirotta, it seems that you would make an excellent specimen for this study.
Mr Tommy Vella
Jan 1st, 14:18
Anad how many Itallian supporters were admitted to hospital in June 2010 after the disastrous result that their team got?
Vicki Azzopardi
Jan 1st, 09:36
If everyone votes for the countries interest and not his own personal interest, then this problem would be solved.
Charles Sammut
Jan 1st, 09:32
If certain people get so worked up whether the thieves win over the robbers or vice versa, doesn't that say a lot about these people?
Josef Borg
Jan 1st, 09:22
What about a study on the impact of receiving utility bills or filling up a fuel tank?!!
Giovann Demartino
Jan 1st, 16:48
AND WHAT ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF A LABOUR REGIME?
Wally Vella-Zarb
Jan 1st, 17:21
Better get used to the idea, Mr Demartino, because time is running out! ;-)
Danika Vella
Jan 1st, 09:17
Was this a surprise result in reality?