Big Super Bowl meal - heart attack danger

For most Americans, Super Bowl time also means chow down time. But if you suffer from certain medical issues, overeating can cause serious problems. Consumer Reports explains.

Buffets, endless supplies of chips and dips, junk food, beer and more - overindulging on Super

Bowl Sunday can be half the fun. But Consumer Reports says it's best to avoid overeating if you have underlying heart disease, hypertension or high cholesterol.

Why? Some evidence suggests a single bout of overeating a big meal can increases triglyceride levels and can cause inflammation of the coronary arteries - potentially resulting in a heart attack.

"It definitely incurs a big risk to have a very large meal such as you would have on Super Bowl Sunday," Consumer Reports Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Marvin Lipman said.

And stuffing yourself can also result in a slew of other troublesome issues - heartburn, gas, gout and can also precipitate gallbladder attacks in people with gallstones. And a day spent overeating can lead to weight gain, putting more stress on the heart.

"I am not saying that somebody with underlying heart disease or hypertension can't indulge

once in a while but not to the extent of 5,000 calories," Dr. Lipman said.

So this Super Bowl Sunday, don't scramble back and forth to the buffet table. Just watch the game.

To keep from overdoing it, Consumer Reports says to avoid going to a Super Bowl party feeling famished. Eat a high-protein snack beforehand, and eat small portions. If you do overindulge, don't use it as an excuse to blow the rest of the season. Simply hold the line the next morning and get back to your better habits.

Super Bowl Sunday is not only about football. It's also about eating. But if you have heart

troubles, Consumer Reports has some warnings.

"Don't overdo it."

You could be setting yourself up for a heart attack.