Broken Heart Elevates Heart Attack Risk: Study

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.

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The study was conducted to "shed fresh light on why people traumatised 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."

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The study was published in the -Internal Medicine Journal.

Source-ANI
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