Study: bereavement raises heart-attack risk
Funded by the North Shore Heart Research Foundation, a world-first study has shed fresh light on why people suffering the loss of a loved one are more at risk of a heart attack. Until now the reasons have not been well understood, although acute stress is increasingly linked to heart attack.
‘This is the first study to look in detail at people during the first weeks after their bereavement,' said lead researcher Dr Thomas Buckley, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney.
Increased risk of heart attack
The researchers found that during this time the risk increased in those who had lost a spouse or family member.
The participants were 80 bereaved men and women, aged 33 to 84 years. All showed emotional and physical symptoms that could contribute to a heart attack. These included increased anxiety, depression and anger, raised blood pressure and stress hormones, reduced sleep and appetite, and changes in blood-clotting and immunity.
Clues for prevention
Professor Geoffrey Tofler, Cardiologist at Royal North Shore Hospital and senior study investigator, said the study shows the importance of maintaining the health of bereaved family members. ‘The results provide clues for preventive measures which we plan to investigate.'
Results were recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine
, and presented at the Australia and New Zealand Annual Cardiac Society Conference in Sydney.
