Losing a loved one is one of the most heartbreaking things that can happen to us in life but, due to a recent study by Saint George's University in London (UK), its symbolism may not be such. The chances of having a stroke or heart attack after the death of a loved one double in the first 30 days after the fatal event. This is the conclusion of the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
We know it as broken heart syndrome. Although the key, in this case, is given by age . Grief over the loss of a loved one leads to more stress and can also lead to forgetfulness or disinterest in continuing with medical treatments; thus, pain increases cardiovascular risks. All of this makes grief a risk factor, especially among people over 60 years of age, both men and women; hence the phrase of having a "broken heart" is more literal and closer than a priori might be expected.
