You can die of a broken heart after the death of a loved one—study
Researchers in Denmark have found that you can actually die from a broken heart after losing a loved one.
Bereaved people who suffer high levels of grief symptoms are nearly twice as likely to die within 10 years of their loved one's death than those who experience low levels of grief, according to the study published in the Frontiers in Public Health journal.
For the study, Dr. Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen and her co-authors assessed the grief symptoms of 1,735 bereaved relatives in Denmark with an average age of 62, with whom researchers followed up until 10 years after their bereavement.
The study identified five main grief trajectories: high grief trajectory (HGT) with persistent high grief symptoms, low grief trajectory (LGT) with low levels of grief symptoms, high/decreasing grief trajectory (HDGT) where the high grief levels subsequently decreased, moderate/decreased trajectory (MDGT) where moderate symptoms later decreased, and late grief trajectory (LaGT) with low levels of grief symptoms before their loved one's death and a peak at six months after bereavement. About 38% of respondents experienced LGT, while 6% experienced HGT.
Grief symptoms were assessed through the "Prolonged Grief-13" questionnaire.
Researchers found that those on the HGT path were 88% more likely to die within 10 years than those in the LGT. Those experiencing high levels of grief are more likely to use mental health services and have higher odds of getting prescribed antidepressants, sedatives, and anxiety drugs.
"We have previously found a connection between high grief symptom levels and higher rates of cardiovascular disease, mental problems, and even suicide. But the association with mortality should be further investigated," Nielsen said in a statement.
Nielsen added that those in the HGT group also had lower education on average and seem to show signs of mental vulnerability even before they lost a loved one.
"[They] may need additional support. They may experience distress and have difficulties coping with the situation," she told CNN.
Nielsen said that people at risk for HGT may be recognizable for early intervention, as their data showed that these patients were prescribed psychotropic medication more often, even before bereavement.
"A [general practioner] could look for previous signs of depression and other severe mental health conditions. They can offer these patients tailored follow-up in general practice or refer them to a private-practice psychologist or secondary care. The GP may also suggest a bereavement follow-up appointment focusing on mental health," she said.
In May, a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that men are more likely to die from the so-called "broken heart syndrome" or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Broken heart syndrome is often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions, as per the Mayo Clinic. People with this illness may have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
