If your sibling dies, it might be a good idea for you to get a medical check-up – and to stay on top of your health for years to come.
A new study says your risk of dying from a heart attack may increase after an adult sibling dies. Researchers also encourage healthcare providers to monitor bereaved siblings for the warning signs of a heart attack.
The risk of a heart attack death was slightly higher for women who’d lost a sibling than for men. The risk for both genders was much higher if the sibling died from a heart attack than of any other cause. Also, the risk wasn’t immediately after their loss – it was two to six years later.
Researchers say shared genetics or childhood risk factors are likely involved when more than one sibling dies from a heart attack. In other cases, unhealthy behaviors as a response to mental stress contribute to the risk for siblings.
Related Information:
- American Heart Association News Release
- The American Heart Association has resources to help you manage stress in your life and to support those caring for ill family members.
