“The increased risk of a heart attack or broken heart syndrome during a grieving period can last for up to 6 months. It is highest in the first few days after the loss of a loved one but it remains four times as long. important in the month following the death “explains Prof. Geoffrey Toffler, professor of cardiology at the University of Sydney (Australia). At the head of a team of researchers from the North Shore Hospital in Sydney, he conducted a clinical trial to find out how cardiac risk factors could be reduced during the period of mourning.
“We sought to determine whether the beta blocker (metoprolol 25 mg) and aspirin (100 mg) reduced markers of cardiovascular risk and anxiety, without negatively affecting the intensity of bereavement” underline the researchers. Their study published inAmerican heart Journal, concludes that beta blockers and aspirin are drugs that may actually reduce cardiovascular risk within 6 weeks of bereavement. Findings that join those of Canadian psychiatrist and researcher Alain Brunet, who already uses beta blockers to help broken hearts.
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