You really CAN die from a broken heart: Grief doubles the risk of a heart attack or a stroke, study finds

  • The risk of a heart attack is highest in the first month after a bereavement
  • The risk declines slowly during the first year after this
  • Stress caused by bereavement has immediate health effects,
  • Loss of sleep and appetite can depress the immune system of surviving loved ones, which may aggravate existing underlying medical conditions

By Jenny Hope Medical Correspondent

PUBLISHED: 16:05 EST, 24 February 2014 | UPDATED: 16:05 EST, 24 February 2014

Losing a loved one can break your heart, says a new British study.

The grief puts you at double the risk of a heart attack or stroke within the first month of bereavement.

The risk slowly declines during the first year after the death of a partner, according to analysis of the impact of bereavement on 30,000 Britons.

You really can die of a broken heart, new research suggests. Simon Monjack, 39, died five months after his wife, Brittany Murphy, died of pneumonia

You really can die of a broken heart, new research suggests. Simon Monjack, 39, died five months after his wife, Brittany Murphy, died of pneumonia

Experts believe the new research confirms the importance of short-term health risks on the survivor, known as 'broken heart syndrome'.

Doctors are warning people of the dangers, especially for those already at risk of heart attack who may neglect their health before and after suffering their loss.

Experts believe the stress caused by bereavement has immediate health effects, while loss of sleep and appetite can depress the immune system of surviving loved ones, which may aggravate existing underlying medical conditions.

 

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Dr Sunil Shah of St George's University of London, research co-author, said the grief and devastation felt by the surviving partner can make them overlook their own health problems.

In particular they may stop taking prescribed medication which could increase the acute risk of heart attacks, strokes and life-threatening blood clots on the lungs.

He said it was 'plausible' the risk is highest in the first few days after a partner's death.

Losing a loved one doubles a person's risk of having a heart attack. Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm died in July 2012 and her husband, Marcus Ringrose, died the day after her funeral of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome

Losing a loved one doubles a person's risk of having a heart attack. Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm died in July 2012 and her husband, Marcus Ringrose, died the day after her funeral of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome

He said: 'There is evidence, from other studies, that the bereavement and grief lead to a range of adverse physiological responses including changes in blood clotting, blood pressure, stress hormone levels and heart rate control.

'All these will plausibly contribute to an increased risk of events such as heart attacks and stroke after loss of a partner.

'In addition, we have found, in another study, that in the first few months after bereavement, individuals may not consistently take their regular preventive medication, such as cholesterol lowering drugs or aspirin.

'Sudden short-term interruption of such regular medication may also contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular events.

The risk of a heart attack is highest in the month after bereavement and declines slowly over the following year

The risk of a heart attack is highest in the month after bereavement and declines slowly over the following year

'We think it is important that doctors, friends and family are aware of this increased risk of heart attacks and strokes so they can ensure care and support is as good as possible at a time of increased vulnerability before and after loss of a loved one,' he added.

The study used data from UK general practices on 30,000 people aged 60 to 89 who were bereaved compared with 84,000 individuals whose partners were still alive during the same period.

They found 0.16 per cent of patients experienced heart attacks or strokes within 30 days of their partner's death compared with 0.08 per cent of the normal population.

The risk of having a heart attack was twice as high, and almost two and a half times higher of having a stroke or blood clot on the lungs in the first month.

Over the first three months, the risk was approximately one-third higher, says a report in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Previous research by the group found a 25 per cent higher risk of death in the first year after bereavement among older couples, with a peak in the first three months.

A study last year from Cass Business School in London found the risk of dying was higher for the surviving partner, but much higher for the widower.

But after the danger period of the first year, the bereaved can take comfort that the excess risk of dying declines.

Julie Ward, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'Losing a loved one is an intense and emotionally stressful time. In exceptional circumstances stress can be a trigger for heart attack or stroke, but this would normally only happen in people who have underlying heart disease.

'To help cope with your feelings you may need extra support from friends and family, especially in the first month following bereavement when stress levels are particularly high.

'It's important to make sure you look after yourself during those weeks. If you're having trouble coping your GP will be able to advise on any health issues or further support you may need.'

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I ABSOLUTELY believe this. Dying From A Broken Heart is NOT a "Myth". And it does not necessarily have to be a partner. It can be suffering Bereavement of a Child's OR a Sibling that can Break a Person's Heart too.

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Very thought provoking piece. The grief over the loss of my son kicked my immune system to pot. Been left with Lupus which is where the immune system turns about and attacks healthy cells. Shock and trauma associated with grief can put great pressure on your body. At the time I had no idea that this could happen. It's good that the medical profession are warning about this effect.

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I don't agree with the Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack example however. Very suspicious circumstances surrounding both their deaths

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I truly believe this. Another prime example is that of June and Johnny Cash, who after 35 years of marriage, died within four months of each other. Johnny simply couldn't bare to be without his soul mate.

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