This research is funded by the North Shore Heart Research Foundation

Study 1

Title: Evaluation of cardiovascular health in bereavement (CARBER 1)
Investigators: Dr Thomas Buckley, Associate Professor Roger Bartrop, Margaret Bramwell, Walther Chen, Kerrie Goldston, Jennifer Havyatt, Dr Anastasia Susie Mihailidou , Professor Sharon McKinley, Dr Marie-Christie Morel-Kopp, Dianne Roche , Monica Spinaze, Angela Stannard, Professor Christopher Tennant, Professor Geoffrey Tofler, Associate Professor Christopher Ward

Funded from 2007

Overview

Bereavement is associated with increased risk of heart attack, particularly in the early stages. However, the reasons for this risk have not been well explained.

The CARBER 1 study focused on documenting the psychological, behavioural, physical and biological changes in early bereavement, to inform future preventative strategies during this high-risk time.
Since 2008 recruitment has been completed, with a sample size of 80. The final six-month follow-up assessments were completed in April 2009.

Our research has shown that temporary changes in stress hormones, immune function, clotting, heart rate and blood pressure occur in the early weeks of bereavement. These biological responses, although all a common response to stress, have been associated with increased risk of heart disease. They also may be amenable to treatment, to lower heart risk.

Publications

Our publications resulted in significant interest in the findings both in Australia (with radio interviews, TV segment, and newspaper and journal articles) and internationally. nother manuscript on our findings is under review.

Buckley, T., Bartrop, R., McKinley, S., Ward, C., Bramwell, M., Roche, D., Mihailidou, A.S., Morel-Kopp, M-C., Spinaze, M., Hocking, B., Goldston, K., Tennant, C., Tofler, G. ‘A prospective study of early bereavement on psychological and behavioural cardiac risk factors.' Internal Medicine Journal 39, no. 6 (June 2009): 370-78.

Buckley, T., McKinley, S., Tofler, G., Bartrop, R. ‘Cardiovascular risk in early bereavement: A literature review and proposed mechanisms.' International Journal of Nursing Studies (Aug 2009) 8. [Published online ahead of print]

Complete data were presented at the Australian and New Zealand Cardiac Society Scientific meeting in September 2009 with the paper chosen as a finalist paper.

Buckley, T., Mihailidou, A. S., Bartrop, R., Ward, C., Morel-Kopp, M-C., McKinley, S., Spinaze, M., Tofler, G. ‘An evaluation of psychological and physiological determinants of cardiovascular risk in early bereavement.' Heart, Lung and Circulation 18, suppl. 3 (Aug 2009): S7.

Study 2

Project title: Cardiovascular risk reduction during bereavement (CARBER II)
Investigators: Dr Thomas Buckley, Associate Professor Roger Bartrop, Margaret Bramwell, Jennifer Havyatt, Dr Anastasia Susie Mihailidou , Professor Sharon McKinley, Dr Marie-Christie Morel-Kopp, Dianne Roche , Monica Spinaze, Professor Geoffrey Tofler, Associate Prof Christopher Ward

Funded since 2009

Overview

The death of a loved one is recognised as one of life's greatest stresses, requiring significant psychological adjustment. The purpose of this study is to test whether it is possible to reduce cardiovascular risk in the early weeks of bereavement.

Report

While completing analysis and publication of CARBER 1 findings, the research team has been planning this second study. We have established recruitment processes and are now navigating the ethic process. The aim is to begin recruitment in late 2009.