Widowed men more likely to die of a broken heart

WIDOWED men are more likely to die of a broken heart than women, researchers have found.

Women are up to twice as likely to die in the year following a partner’s death, the study by London’s Cass Business School found.

While it is possible to die from a broken heart, the good news is that it is also possible to recover from one — once you get over the first 12 months of mourning.

The research, based on analysis of 11,454 life annuity policies held by a Canadian insurer, suggests that after the first year the chance of the remaining partner dying falls.

The study’s author, Dr Jaap Spreeuw, senior lecturer in actuarial science at Cass Business School, said: “We all know that the death of a loved one will have massive impact on the life of the husband or wife left behind but this research shows it will have direct impact on their mortality.

“It statistically proves that people can die of a broken heart during the earliest stages of bereavement,” said Dr Spreeuw.

“The good news is that it also shows that after the first years of mourning, the chance of dying decreases, demonstrating that people can recover from losing their loved one.”

The analysis, which was sponsored by the Actuarial Profession, was designed to help insurance companies price life assurance and pension policies.

Paul Sweeting, chairman of the actuarial profession’s research steering committee, said: “Not only does this research confirm the existence of broken heart syndrome, but it gives an idea of how long the effect lasts.

“This could help to make premiums fairer, both for life assurance policies and for annuities.”