http://www.channelnewsaHeartbreak increases heart attack risk
Posted: 15 September 2009 1739 hrs


SYDNEY : 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.

Of the 160 people studied, half were mourning the loss of a partner or child, and their risk of heart attack increased six-fold, he said.

The risk, which was evident in people as young as 30, reduced after six months and levelled out after two years, he added.

A sudden flood of stress hormones is believed to be behind the grief-induced heartache, a condition that earlier studies have found is more likely to affect women.

- AFP/il

sia.com/stories/health/view/1005116/1/.html

We’ve always known that stress can be detrimental for one’s health. Now we can be certain, as the Australian medical research team has shown.

This is probably another important reason to not just keep your body healthy, but your mind as well. Going through grief is part of life, but it is important that we share the burden. Talk to someone if you feel hurt. Or if you don’t trust anyone you know, call a hotline where volunteers are willing to talk to you.

SOS (Samaritans Singapore)
1800 221 4444
The SOS in Singapore is one good source, they can help you maintain your annonymity, at the same they provide a shoulder to lean on


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