Can you really die of a broken heart?
Losing a loved one can be heartbreaking. But a new study tell that this can be more than just symbolic, as the chances of experiencing a stroke or heart attack after a partner's passing away doubles within the first 30 days.
The researchers, from St. George's University of London in the UK, have issued the results of their study in JAMA. The researchers tell that, sometimes, sorrow can lead to higher physical stress and can also make people lose interest or forget to take their medication. To survey loss as a risk point for cardiovascular problems, the team estimates the level of stroke or heart attack in patients over the age of 60 whose partner passed away. They then compared that with persons whose partner was still alive. Entirely, there were 3,0447 in every single in the study whose partner passed away and 83,588 controls whose partners did not.
The researchers found that 16 per 10,000 people whose partners passed away experienced heart attacks or strokes within 30 days of their partner passing away, compared with only 8 per 10,000 from the control population. After 30 days, anywise this increased risk began to fall in people who lost a loved one.
Dr. Sunil Shah, co-author and senior lecturer at St. George's University of London, says:
"We often use the phase a 'broken heart' to indicate the pain of losing a loved one and our study tell that the suicide can have an effect directly on the health of the heart."
Sorrow increases cardiovascular risks.
There has been evidence from other recent studies. That partner loss and sorrow can lead to changes in blood clotting, blood pressure and heart rate control, Dr. Shan says ‘’moreover, We have found, in another, study, that in the first few months after the bereavement, peoples may not invariable take their medication routine, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs or aspirin he adds. All of these factors can support to increased risks of cardiovascular events, in addition Dr. Shan says it is important for doctors, friend and family to be conscious of these increased risks
Dr. Iain Carey, senior research fellow at the university, says:
"We have seen a marked increase in heart attack or stroke risk in the month after a person's partner dies, which seems similar to be the result of adverse physiological responses associated with acute sorrow.
A better understanding of psychological and social factors associated with acute cardiovascular events may give opportunities for prevention and improved clinical care."