Low-dose aspirin reduces cardiovascular baseline risk, reactivity, and depressed mood in acutely bereaved

Erstveröffentlichung
2018-07-26Authors
Karl, Sebastian
Referee
Gündel, HaraldPlener, Paul
Dissertation
Faculties
Medizinische FakultätInstitutions
UKU. Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und PsychotherapieUKU. Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie/Psychotherapie
Abstract
Objective: The death of a loved one is extremely stressful, and cardiovascular risk increases nearly two-fold in the acute period of bereavement. However, no studies have attempted to intervene to reduce risk during this identifiable period. This pilot study investigated the protective effect of low-dose aspirin on cardiovascular parameters and depressed mood of bereaved participants, compared to nonbereaved healthy controls.
Methods: Ten bereaved participants and 12 nonbereaved control participants had blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measured and blood drawn at a first laboratory visit. The visit was within 30 days of the death of their spouse, on average. Participants were randomized to receive low-dose aspirin (81 mg) or placebo, taken for five days. In a second laboratory visit, the same assessments were repeated, as well as a structured separation recall reactivity task (i.e., recalling a time they felt alone or abandoned). Bereaved participants recalled their bereavement experience.
Results: Bereaved participants taking aspirin were more likely to report a decrease in CES-D score from the first to the second laboratory visit than those taking placebo (χ2=6.67, p<0.01, d=3.54). Levels of P-selectin (-0.12 vs. +0.16, p<0.01, d=1.22) and a composite cardiovascular risk score (-0.30 vs. +0.38, p<0.03, d=1.02) decreased more from the first to the second lab visit in participants taking aspirin. In response to the separation recall, participants taking aspirin recovered faster than those taking placebo: heart rate decreased more in the aspirin group (-2.32 vs. -5.97 beats per minute, p<0.005, d=1.64) and HRV decreased in the placebo group while it increased in the aspirin group (log RSA +0.42 vs. -0.17, p<0.03, d=1.18).
Conclusions: The present pilot study was the first to measure reactivity in a bereaved population using a laboratory stress task. The results suggest that aspirin can reduce baseline cardiovascular risk markers, attenuate physiological reactivity to stressors, and ameliorate depressed mood in acutely bereaved.
Date created
2017
Subject headings
[GND]: Acetylsalicylsäure | Trauer | Depression | Psychische Belastung[MeSH]: Bereavement | Grief | Aspirin | Depression; Prevention and control | Heart diseases; Prevention and control
[Free subject headings]: Cardiovascular risk
[DDC subject group]: DDC 610 / Medicine & health
Metadata
Show full item recordDOI & citation
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.18725/OPARU-8467
Karl, Sebastian (2018): Low-dose aspirin reduces cardiovascular baseline risk, reactivity, and depressed mood in acutely bereaved. Open Access Repositorium der Universität Ulm und Technischen Hochschule Ulm. Dissertation. http://dx.doi.org/10.18725/OPARU-8467
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