2026-10-12T12:05:37Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34039005 2026-10-01T05:00:59Z category_31208 category_31226 category_31211 category_33752 portal_1005 item_type_6 month_year_10_2026

The effect of metoprolol and aspirin on cardiovascular risk in bereavement: A randomized controlled trial GH Tofler (25152330) MC Morel-Kopp (25152333) M Spinaze (25152336) J Dent (15961070) C Ward (12994602) S McKinley (13411800) AS Mihailidou (16081580) J Havyatt (25152339) V Whitfield (25152342) R Bartrop (25152345) J Fethney (13668052) HG Prigerson (25152348) T Buckley (13418643) Biomedical and clinical sciences Clinical sciences Cardiovascular medicine and haematology Health sciences Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems Cardiovascular System & Cardiology HEART-RATE-VARIABILITY ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION BETA-BLOCKER THERAPY LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN CIRCADIAN VARIATION DEPRESSION PLATELET DISEASE ONSET PROPRANOLOL Heart Disease Clinical Research Brain Disorders Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities Aging Depression Cardiovascular Mental Health Prevention 6.1 Pharmaceuticals 3 Good Health and Well Being Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Anxiety Arachidonic Acid Aspirin Bereavement Blood Platelets Cardiovascular Diseases Double-Blind Method Female Heart Rate Humans Male Medication Therapy Management Metoprolol Middle Aged Placebos Prospective Studies Systole Q1 Background: Bereavement is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, no reports exist of interventions to reduce risk. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 85 recently bereaved participants, we determined whether β-blocker (metoprolol 25 mg) and aspirin (100 mg) reduce cardiovascular risk markers and anxiety, without adversely affecting bereavement intensity. Methods: Participants were spouses (n = 73) or parents (n = 12) of deceased from 5 hospitals in Sydney, Australia, 55 females, 30 males, aged 66.1 ± 9.4 years. After assessment within 2 weeks of bereavement, subjects were randomized to 6 weeks of daily treatment or placebo, and the effect evaluated using ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline values (primary analysis). Results: Participants on metoprolol and aspirin had lower levels of home systolic pressure (P =.03), 24-hour average heart rate (P <.001) and anxiety (P =.01) platelet response to arachidonic acid (P <.001) and depression symptoms (P =.046) than placebo with no difference in standard deviation of NN intervals index (SDNNi), von Willebrand Factor antigen, platelet-granulocyte aggregates or bereavement intensity. No significant adverse safety impact was observed. Conclusions: In early bereavement, low dose metoprolol and aspirin for 6 weeks reduces physiological and psychological surrogate measures of cardiovascular risk. Although further research is needed, results suggest a potential preventive benefit of this approach during heightened cardiovascular risk associated with early bereavement.<p></p> 2020-02-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 10.26187/deakin.34039005 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_effect_of_metoprolol_and_aspirin_on_cardiovascular_risk_in_bereavement_A_randomized_controlled_trial/34039005 All Rights Reserved Restricted Access