Bereavement can take toll on health, not just emotions
Shortly after a partner dies, spouse more prone to heart attack, stroke
By Nathan Seppa
In the month following the death of a spouse or partner, people are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as others their age. Scientists find that while the grieving period coincides with tangible medical risks during these critical weeks, the danger subsequently fades.
The study adds to research that has established bereavement as a time of medical risk to be monitored and, if possible, treated. In a finding published in Circulation in 2012, researchers detected a 21-fold increase in heart attack incidence in the 24 hours after the death of a significant person in their lives — such as a spouse, parent, child or friend — compared with the risk one to six months after such a loss.