Broken Heart ‘Ups Heart Attack Risk’

LONDON – A broken heart can prove to be a serious health threat, say Australian researchers who found that people mourning the loss of a loved one are six times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest.

As per 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.

The study was conducted to “shed fresh light on why people traumatized by the loss of a loved one are more susceptible to having a heart attack”, reports The Daily Express.

A team at the University of Sydney, Australia, studied 80 bereaved adults to reach the conclusion.

Lead author Dr Thomas Buckley said: “Emotional and mood changes were greatest during this time.

“Overall, the bereaved had -increases in anxiety, depression and anger, with elevated stress hormones and -reduced sleep and appetite.

“They also showed increases in blood pressure and heart rate, – together with immune and blood -clotting changes – all changes that could contribute to a heart attack.”

The study was published in the -Internal Medicine Journal.