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Yes, losing a partner is heartbreaking

 
Published April 6, 2016

The death of a life partner can throw your heart out of whack — not just emotionally but physically, according to a new study.

Researchers found that people who lost their partner within the previous 30 days are 41 percent more likely to develop an irregular heartbeat compared with those who were not recently bereaved.

And it appears that the more unexpected the death, the higher the risk of a fluttering heart.

People under 60 were the most affected by the recent loss of a partner: Their risk of having an irregular heartbeat doubled compared with control groups. The risk of developing arrhythmia also increased for those who had a partner who died suddenly compared with those whose partners died after a long illness.

The study also suggests that just as time can heal an emotionally broken heart, it can also reduce the chances of developing a physically challenged one as well. The authors say the risk a person will exhibit heartbeat irregularities is most pronounced 8 to 14 days after a partner's death and then slowly begins to taper off. By one year after a partner's death, the bereaved is no more likely than anyone else to suffer from a fluttering heart.

The study was published in the journal Open Heart.