Anniversary of Loved Ones Death Shown to Trigger
Sudden Death, Men Especially
History of heart attack, family SD or coronary
disease, cardiovascular risks add to vulnerability
March
31, 2008 - If the date of a loved one’s passing is approaching, beware.
The anniversary of the death of a close family member, especially a
mother or father, is a significant trigger for Sudden Death (SD),
especially in men, according to research presented today at the American
College of Cardiology’s 57th Annual Scientific Session.
Understanding the triggers of SD - death that is
unexpected and occurs rapidly, frequently within one hour of the onset
of symptoms and usually due to lethal arrhythmias - may help researchers
discover ways to anticipate and prevent premature loss of life.
“Sudden death is a major public health problem and
is responsible for nearly half of all cardiac deaths,” said Juan
Marques, M.D., Central University of Venezuela, and co-investigator of
this study.
“A better understanding of the manner in which
events, such as the anniversary effect, can trigger sudden deaths may
lead to innovative preventive strategies aimed at severing the link
between this psychological stress and their pathological consequences.”
Researchers evaluated a consecutive series of 102
documented sudden death cases of individuals between 37 and 79 years
old. Life circumstances that preceded death were investigated.
In nearly 70 percent of cases (69 cases), the
underlying syndrome was coronary artery disease.
In 13 percent of cases
(13 cases), SD occurs on the anniversary date of the traumatic event of
death of a parent (seven on the anniversary of father’s death, five on
the anniversary of mother’s death and one on the anniversary of the
death of the mother and father, who died on the same date).
Deaths were not related to the loss of any other
close family member. Roughly one-third (4 cases) died at a similar age
as the family member who died previously.
“We’ve all known close family members who have died
within hours, weeks, months or years of each other. The anniversary of
death appears to be a devastating trigger of sudden death,” said Ivan
Mendoza M.D., Central University of Venezuela, and investigator of the
study.
“Physicians should be aware that mental stress,
such as the anniversary effect, may induce sudden death in susceptible
individuals.”
According to Dr. Mendoza, patients may be
especially vulnerable if they have a history of heart attack, family
history of sudden death or coronary disease, and cardiovascular risk
factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes,
smoking, obesity or a sedentary lifestyle. Psychological factors
associated with coronary artery disease like anger, stress, emotional
trauma, depression or anxiety are also linked to sudden death.
Nearly 80 percent of the patients (10 cases) who
died suddenly under the anniversary effect were male. The reason for
this is not understood, but may reflect gender differences in response
to stressful situations.
Dr. Marques says that women could be less
susceptible to higher levels of stress hormones including catecholamines
due to protective mechanisms from certain molecules, including estrogens
and protein Gi response pathways, which are thought to prevent damage to
the heart.
This and previous studies have indicated that
cardiovascular mortality is affected by the anticipation or experience
of psychological factors and symbolic occasions. These findings may have
implications for clinical practice and for research, according to the
researchers.
“Avoidance of stress is not possible for
individuals leading a full life,” said Dr. Mendoza.
“However, integrative medicine, including
psychological management, stress reduction interventions, and the
development of tailored behavioral interventions based on individual
patient risk factors, may be warranted.”
Drs. Mendoza and Marques presented their study on
Sudden Death and the Anniversary Effect on Saturday, March 29 at the
meeting
Editor’s Notes:
The American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org)
represents the majority of board certified cardiovascular physicians in
the United States. Its mission is to advocate for quality cardiovascular
care through education, research, promotion, development and application
of standards and guidelines- and to influence health care policy. ACC.08
is the largest cardiovascular meeting, bringing together cardiologists
and cardiovascular specialists to share the newest discoveries in
treatment and prevention, while helping the ACC achieve its mission to
address and improve issues in cardiovascular medicine.
March 3, 2008 -- Depressed heart attack patients have a
higher risk for sudden death in the months following a heart
attack. Now a team led by researchers ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2008/8-03-03-DepressionRaisesRisk.htm
- 59k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
DALLAS, April 9, 2002 - Daily supplements of a fatty acid
found in fish oil halves the risk of sudden death in heart
attack survivors, researchers report in ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/04-14-02FishOil.htm -
42k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Mar 22, 2006 ... Sudden Cardiac Death, sometimes referred to
as Sudden Cardiac Arrest, ... family history of sudden death and
coronary artery disease. ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Medicare/6-03-22-MedicareApproves.htm -
69k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
27, 2004 - Sudden cardiac death from emotional stress, which
kills about 60000 each year in the U.S., may be triggered by
uneven signals from the brain to ... seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/4-12-27SuddenDeath.htm - 56k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Mar 11, 2008 ... It's also called sudden cardiac arrest or
unexpected cardiac arrest. Sudden death (also called sudden
cardiac death) occurs within minutes ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2008/8-03-11-VeryLowSurvival.htm -
73k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Although the causes of death were varied, most seemed to be
either heart-related (such as heart failure or sudden death) or
from infections (pneumonia). ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/5-04-14Antipsychotic.htm - 56k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Mar 7, 2006 ... Chronic anxiety, depression or anger are
widely recognized as raising the risk of heart attack,
hospitalization or sudden death in patients ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/6-03-07-MentalStressMore.htm -
59k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
April 12, 2005
- The omega-3 fatty acids improve heart function by providing
greater variability between beats, therefore reducing the risk
of arrhythmia and/or sudden death ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/5-04-12Fish-SoyOil.htm
- 54k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Aug 30, 2006 ... “Despite the fact that AEDs do save lives,
they are unlikely to ever have a substantial impact on rates of
sudden death,” Kottke said, ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/6-08-30-FishFattyAcids.htm
- 63k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Oct 2, 2007 ... Sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of
death in the United States. Overall, the risk of sudden cardiac
death increases with age and is ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2007/7-10-02-WomenBlackMen.htm -
68k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Mar 21, 2006 ... March 21, 2006 - Sudden cardiac death during
exertion is an extremely rare occurrence in women, and regular
moderate to vigorous exercise ... seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/6-03-21-SuddenCardiacArrest.htm
Jun 5, 2007 ... Antipsychotic Drugs Increase Risk of Death in
Senior Citizens with ... heart failure, sudden death) or
infections (mostly pneumonia). ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2007/7-06-05-Antipsychotic.htm
- 72k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
The normal annual incidence of sudden cardiac death was one
to two ... Although the antibiotics have been reported to be
linked to sudden cardiac death, ... seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/5-05-11DrugsSuddenDeath.htm -
56k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
One would expect, for example, that reminders of our
mortality - say the sudden death of a loved one - would throw us
into a state of disabling fear of the ... seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Features/2007/7-10-22-FacedWithDeath.htm
- 62k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Oct 26, 2006 ... The studies did not show that the use of
tongxinluo reduced the number of heart attacks, sudden death or
the need for cardiac procedures ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/6-10-26-QuestionableEvidence.htm
- 65k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Sudden Death
From Stress Linked to Uneven Signals Between Brain, Heart. Dec.
27, 2004 - Sudden cardiac death from emotional stress, which
kills about 60000 ...
seniorjournal.com/Archives/Arch-Health-2004.htm - 95k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
All had signs of an apparent heart attack immediately after
some kind of sudden emotional stress, including news of a death,
shock from a surprise party, ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/5-02-10BrokenHeart.htm - 68k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Most cardiac arrests that lead to sudden death occur when the
electrical impulses in the diseased heart become extremely rapid
or chaotic or both. ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/03-12-02Defibs.htm - 42k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
...
against one of the most dreaded and unpredictable consequences
of heart disease—massive “sudden death” heart attacks that kill
within minutes. ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/3-06-19fishoil.htm -
50k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Aug 6, 2007 ... Chronic conditions increase risk of
activity-related adverse events, e.g., heart disease increases
risk of sudden death and osteoporosis ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/2007/7-08-06-SenCitGetAdvice.htm
May 10, 2007 ... May 10, 2007 - The causes of "broken heart
syndrome" remain a mystery, but doctors will soon have an easier
time recognizing and treating ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2007/7-05-10-NewRegistry.htm - 61k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Patients with this condition, called stress cardiomyopathy
but known colloquially as “broken heart” syndrome, are often
misdiagnosed with a massive heart ... seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/5-02-10BrokenHeart.htm - 68k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
Feb 16, 2006 ... 16, 2006 - Most people have heard stories
about an older person who “dies of a broken heart” shortly after
their partner’s death. ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/6-02-16-SeniorCitizensDeathRisk.htm
- 60k
-
Cached -
Similar pages
May 30, 2007 ... New Registry of ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ May
Help Solve Mystery Condition. 95% women, 60% experienced stress
before going to ER. May 10, 2007 ...
seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Health/2007/7-05-30-ExerciseTest.htm
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
March
31, 2008 - If the date of a loved one’s passing is approaching, beware.
The anniversary of the death of a close family member, especially a
mother or father, is a significant trigger for Sudden Death (SD),
especially in men, according to research presented today at the American
College of Cardiology’s 57th Annual Scientific Session. 