According to a study from researchers at St. George’s University of London senior citizens are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke after losing a loved one.

According to a study from researchers at St. George’s University of London senior citizens are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke after losing a loved one.

Among the roughly 114 thousand seniors who participated as study subjects, the risk for having a heart attack doubled within the 30 days after a partner died, and the risk of having a stoke increased by 2 point 4 times compared to subjects of the same age and gender who hadn’t lost a partner.

There are several possible explanations for the increased risk.

Doctor Sunil Shah, co-author of the study, and senior lecturer in public health at St. George's University of London is quoted as saying: “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.”

Other experts say that the period of mourning can also cause already delicate people to forget their normal routines like taking medication, or cause them to eat and drink too much.