Partner’s death tied to more heart attacks, strokes

By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Older men and women whose partners died within the past month are at an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to a new study from the UK. Researchers found the chance of having a heart attack or stroke doubled within the 30 days after people lost their significant other. “The period after death of a loved one is a time of increased vulnerability to a range of health problems, including heart attacks and strokes,” Dr. Sunil Shah said. “Although we know that the chance of dying of a heart attack or stroke increases after losing someone close, we had less information on the overall effect of bereavement (on) heart attacks and strokes,” including those that aren’t fatal, he wrote in an email to Reuters Health.