A team, player, or bet that is extremely stressful to watch because the outcome often stays undecided until the final moments.

A cardiac matchup produces late swings, buzzer-beaters, or last-minute scoring that make watching the game feel like a series of "heart attacks." Bettors use the term for teams or bets where leads change near the end or results are decided in the final seconds.

• Example: A football team that frequently wins by one point in the final seconds would be a cardiac team.

• Betting note: Cardiac games are risky for live and last-minute bets since outcomes often hinge on unpredictable end-of-game events.