Generally, just how often is it that a healthy spouse/partner will soon suffer a major illness directly due to the demise of the other spouse/partner?

This is a very: interesting question. We can't quantify the risk, but an apparently healthy surviving spouse or partner is at risk for major illness or death after the passing of a loved one. Broken Heart Syndrome (Stress Cardiomyopathy) is one of the few that come to mind as a direct result of such profound shock and grief. Suicides & motor vehicle accidents also tick up in the aftermath. Dr. Anne