Heartbreak increases heart attack risk: study

breitbart ^ | Sept 15, 2009

[Joiseydude]

People mourning the loss of a loved one are six times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest, potential proof that you can indeed die of a broken heart, Australian researchers said Tuesday. According to a Heart Foundation study of the physical changes suffered immediately after a profound loss, grieving people were at significantly higher risk of heart problems, said lead researcher Thomas Buckley.

"We found higher blood pressure, increased heart rate and changes to immune system and clotting that would increase the risk of heart attack," Buckley said.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

I know a lady that died of a broken heart.

[jessduntno]

Was someone paid money to figure out that the death of a loved one could cause stress?

[stephenjohnbanker]

Evidently.

[cvq3842]

Yup.

[Mind Freed]

My grandparents were both in the hospital at the same time. My grandmother passed away and all my aunts and uncles were worried about telling my grandfather. My Mother (being the oldest) went in his room to tell him and he looked at her and said “she’s gone”. Nobody had told him anything, he said he felt her leave. He died one month later.

[jessduntno]

Yeah, that’s how I want MY tax money spent - penetrating insight...scientific inquiry...b*strds.

[algernonpj]

I have a very similar story about an aunt and uncle, both in the hospital at thesame time. Her hospitalization was for a relatively minor complaint; his was more serious. Although no one told her when he died, she followed him in under one day.

[PeanutbutterandJellybean]

My parents who were married 40 years, were in the ICU at the same time. They died 11 days apart. My Father first, then 10 days later my Mother was told of my Father’s passing, and she died the next day, while still in the ICU.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Half or more of our federal government could be eliminated tomorrow, and only a few freeloaders would notice.

[Dianna]

Since the loss of my son nearly 3 years ago, I seem to have high blood pressure every time I visit the doctor.

It's important to know that these may not be temporary changes which then go back to normal.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Very true. Prayers up for you and your son.

[Dianna]

Prayers up for you and your son.

Thanks!

[kaylar]

When my DH died, my weight dropped from 109 lbs to 88 lbs-in about a month. I just could.not. eat. We all know what kills anorexics : Heart attacks because they lose weight so quickly and so severely that the heart muscle is part of the muscle mass lost. Their weakened hearts just give out. I wonder how many grieving people die from heart attacks for the same reason-loss of heart muscle because of what I guess you can call "situational anorexia"?

[ravingnutter]

My maternal great-grandparents were both in a nursing home and my grandmother was regressing back into her second childhood. He was doing much better than her, so they were in separate areas of the facility. The day she could not recognize him, it broke his heart and he died a few days later. She died a few weeks after that clutching a Raggedy Ann doll I had given her.

My paternal Grandfather died in a car accident on the way to the hospital to see my Grandmother before surgery, they said he possibly had a heart attack. He was in a '69 VW Fastback and got hit by the back wheels of a semi, so it was a pretty ugly scene. They postponed the surgery and then found out she had cancer. At the time, they said if they would have operated it would have killed her, so I have always said his dying saved her life. She survived the cancer as well as diabetes and lived for many years, but finally died of a heart attack herself.

[vetvetdoug]

Heartbreak increases heart attack risk.....

I am so totally screwed...

[Gumdrop]

This is pretty obvious to anyone who has suffered the lost of a closr relative, like a parent, spouse or child, especially if the death is unexpected, such as an accident or sudden heart attack.

The emotional pain is accompanied by strong physical pain as well. I was in 6th grade when I learned that fact of life when my beloved Dad died of a heart attack. And, it did not go away soon. I can remember that for several years life went on, but I felt somewhat separated from all my friends as they had both of their parents, and I was still in mourning. Not that I ever talked about it, though. I just went through the motions of being with my friends.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Well, now I know how I’m going... :-\

[Impy]

No no, it will probably be a pitbull.