Findings of a new study suggest that people can actually die of a broken heart as it increases the risks of heart attack and stroke.
According to researchers from St. George's University of London, the death of a loved one can double the risk of a heart attack. It was observed that stroke risks increased by 2.4 times among people who suffered the loss of a partner.
"There is evidence from other studies that bereavement and grief lead to a range of adverse physiological responses, including changes in blood clotting, blood pressure, stress hormone levels and heart rate control," said study co-author Dr. Sunil Shah, a senior lecturer in public health at St. George's University of London, according to NBC News. "All of these will plausibly contribute to an increased risk of events such as heart attacks and stroke after loss of a partner."
The study examined 30,000 adults aged 60 to 89 in the United Kingdom who'd lost a spouse between 2005 and 2012, as well as more than 83,000 adults in about the same age range whose partners were still alive.
Researchers noted that over fifty bereaved participants suffered a heart attack, which made up for 0.16 percent of the total participants compared to 0.08 percent in the second group.
Heart attack and stroke risks were highest during the first one month following the death. Risk rates returned to normal three months after the death, according to Live Science.
Dr. Karol Watson, co-director of preventive cardiology at UCLA said that the reason behind this increased risk rate couldn't be determined but she speculated it may be due to adverse physiological responses associated with acute grief.
"Many studies have shown that intense stress can activate the fight or flight response, which can cause a surge of epinephrine, adrenaline and cortisol. And that can cause stun damage to your heart," she said.
She also noted that grief during the time of mourning causes them to forget their medications, stop eating right or do harmful things like drinking or eating too much, which can lead to increased risk of heart attacks.
A previous study conducted by Utah State University reported similar findings. According to researchers, widowhood increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 2.17 times.
Findings of the new study were published online in the journal JAMA.
