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Losing a loved one really can break your heart. Research shows that the risk of coronary failure or stroke doubles in the first month of bereavement. The extra danger declines over the following months, according to the study of 30,000 Britons.  Experts believe the findings show how important the ‘broken heart syndrome’ can be. Sunil Shah, who helped lead the research at St George’s, University of London, said the devastation felt by a surviving partner can make them overlook their own health problems. Often they forget to take medication that keeps illness at bay. ‘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,’ said Dr Shah. ‘All these will plausibly contribute to an increased risk of events such as heart attacks and stroke after loss of a partner. ‘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.  ‘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.’ It is thought that bereavement stress has immediate health effects, while loss of sleep and appetite can depress the immune system and aggravate underlying medical conditions. The study used data from UK general practices on 30,000 bereaved patients aged 60 to 89. The results were compared with those for 84,000 individuals whose partners were still alive during the same period. The researchers found that 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. Over the same period the risk of blood clots on the lungs was almost two and a half times greater. Over the first three months, the risk of heart trouble or stroke was approximately a third higher, says a report in the journal, JAMA Internal Medicine.  The researchers 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 early death increased for the surviving partner, and was much higher for widowers. But after the danger period of the first year, the bereaved can take comfort that the extra 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.’ Scientists have said that divorce, operations and even winning the lottery are as likely as bereavement to trigger heart attacks. The underlying cause is thought to be an overload of the ‘fight-or-flight’ hormone adrenaline, explains Alexander Lyon, a cardiologist at Royal Brompton Hospital, London, who has published a study on the condition in the journal Circulation. ‘Adrenaline and other hormones are good at low and medium doses because they cause the heart to pump harder and faster — you need this in many situations, such as when you’re doing exercise. ‘But in some people very high rates of adrenaline have a toxic effect on the heart.’ Dailymail
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