A person during very early grieving has a significantly higher risk of experiencing abnormal heart rhythms, which raises the chances of heart attack and sudden cardiac death, Australian researchers explained today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2010, Chicago, USA. They reported that rhythm abnormalities generally settle down about six months after the loved one has died. However, better prevention measures would reduce the risk of heart attack or sudden death during early bereavement if awareness of this risk improved. The risk is especially high among early grievers with an underlying heart condition.

The passing away of a child, spouse or parent can raise the heart rate (pulse rate).

Study leader, Thomas Buckley, Ph.D., University of Sydney Nursing School in Sydney, Australia, said:

    While the focus at the time of bereavement is naturally directed toward the deceased person, the health and welfare of bereaved survivors should also be of concern to medical professionals, as well as family and friends.

    Some bereaved, especially those already at increased cardiovascular risk, might benefit from medical review, and they should seek medical assistance for any possible cardiac symptoms.”

Previous studies had shown a link between early bereavement and heart attack or sudden cardiac death. But none could explain why this happened, or why the elevated risk settled down after some time, the researchers explained.

Buckley and team assessed the health of 78 individuals, 55 females and 23 males, who had lost a spouse or child, two weeks after their loved one’s death, and then again six months later. They were aged between 33 and 91. They were compared to a control group – a group of people of similar ages and gender mix who were not trying to cope with the loss of a loved one.

With the help of medical devices which can monitor people’s heart rates for 24 hours, the scientists gathered information on each person’s heart rate, and reduced heart rate variability. The participants were also assessed for depression and anxiety.

Buckley said:

    Increased heart rate and reduced heart rate variability in the early months of bereavement are possible mechanisms of increased cardiovascular risk during this often very stressful period.

The investigators found that:

  • Incidences of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) occurred twice as often among the grieving participants during the first 14 days after their loved ones had died – 2.23 SVT episodes compared to 1.23.
  • After six months, incidences of SVT were lower among those in the grieving group compared to the controls
  • During the first two weeks of bereavement, the grieving participants’ heart rate (pulse rate) was 75.1bpm, versus 70.7 in the control group.
  • After six months both groups had the same heart rates
  • Those in the bereaved group had an average depression score of 26.3, compared to 6.1 in the other group. Even after six months, the grieving group still had a much higher score, but lower than during the first two weeks.
  • Anxiety scores were 46.7 in the grieving group and 28.8 in the other group. At the end of six months the grieving group’s average score was 37.2, while those of the control group had risen to 29.1.

Buckley said:

    “While our findings do not establish causality, they are consistent with evidence for psychosocial triggering of cardiovascular events. They suggest the need for further investigation of the link between bereavement and cardiovascular risk, including the potential for preventive measures.

The researchers stress that the grieving participants in their group had lost people who were being cared for in critical care hospital areas. It is therefore not possible to apply this data those who lost a loved one at home, in a hospice or other settings.

Source: American Heart Association.

Written by Christian Nordqvist