Can Grief Harm Your Health?
The phrase "dying from a broken heart" isn't just a figure of speech — it reflects a real physical response to profound grief. One well-known example is the sudden death of actress Debbie Reynolds, who passed away just a day after her daughter, "Star Wars" icon Carrie Fisher, died of cardiac arrest.
"Although stress-related changes can begin during a loved one's illness, the most profound physical effects often appear after the loss, when grief is most intense," says renowned grief expert Mary-Frances O'Connor. | Credit: Getty
More than 80% of bereaved individuals reported experiencing chest discomfort, yet few recognize it as a normal part of the grieving process, according to a 2024 study. Loss can trigger a range of physical reactions, from rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure to insomnia and a weakened immune system. Recognizing these physical effects is essential to understanding how deeply grief can affect overall health.
"Loss affects not only the mind but also the heart, immune system, hormone levels and overall physical health of grieving individuals," says renowned grief expert Mary-Frances O'Connor, author of a new book, "The Grieving Body," a follow up to her highly acclaimed best-seller, "The Grieving Brain."
In her book, O'Connor delves into how mourning and loss profoundly impact the body, uncovering the science behind grief and revealing how sorrow and stress take a toll on our health and well-being.
"Bereavement should be treated as a monumental stress event that can lead to increased risk for illness and possible death," says O'Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab.
"The transition from active caregiving to coping with loss can leave people especially vulnerable to new or worsening health problems."
How common are broken hearts from grief? Researchers reported in a study that individuals who suffered a heart attack were 21 times more likely to have it occur in the first 24 hours after the death of a loved one in comparison to any other day of the year. The researchers found that the risk does decrease significantly after a month. Separate research revealed that after the death of a parent, risk of heart disease increases by 41% and risk of stroke increases by 30% among adult children.
Grief exerts a powerful physiological impact because it can accompany an inflammatory and hormonal cascade throughout the body, as part of both intense emotional and physical stress. This inflammatory response can worsen existing conditions like arthritis and asthma, while also disrupting essential systems such as sleep, digestion and hormone regulation.
"Although stress-related changes can begin during a loved one's illness, the most profound physical effects often appear after the loss, when grief is most intense," O'Connor explains. "The transition from active caregiving to coping with loss can leave people especially vulnerable to new or worsening health problems."
Health Issues
Grief impacts the body in various ways, but according to O'Connor, these six areas are particularly susceptible to physical distress.
Brain impact. Grief doesn’t just stir powerful emotions — it also affects the brain itself. One of the most common neurological responses is brain fog, marked by mental cloudiness and slowed thinking. While there's no single definition, brain fog often includes symptoms like forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, slowed cognition, difficulty communicating and general fuzziness and fatigue. It's a normal, though often frustrating, part of the grieving process.
Endocrine system. Stress related to bereavement can wreak havoc on hormone levels. While research has not fully uncovered the connection between bereavement and hormonal changes, cortisol levels tend to rise among those experiencing intense grief. Persistently high levels of cortisol — the body’s “fight or flight” response — can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, increased blood pressure, impaired memory and concentration and a weakened immune function.
Heart problems. From rapid heartbeats and high blood pressure to arrythmias (irregular heart rhythms) and possible heart failure, the body goes through “trauma” during bereavement that can lead to heart ailments. Can heart issues be prevented? Although more research is needed, one Australian study treated bereaving individuals with aspirin and beta blockers for six weeks and showed they achieved lower heart rate and systolic blood pressure.
Immune system. During extended bereavement, individuals may struggle with inflammation-related flare-ups of chronic conditions or experience slower healing. A suppressed immune response from impaired function of T cells can be detrimental to the body’s immune defense, increasing susceptibility to colds, flu and pneumonia.
Those who lost their loved one to an accident, suicide or homicide are more likely to increase substance abuse compared with deaths from natural causes.
Liver. Grief doesn’t directly affect the liver, but some may turn to increased alcohol consumption to cope with their sadness. Smoking cigarettes or drug use patterns may also increase after a major loss. Bereaved men are more likely than women to experience increased drinking, and those who lost their loved one to an accident, suicide or homicide are more likely to increase substance abuse compared with deaths from natural causes. Psychotherapy can help to develop other coping skills, reducing reliance on alcohol and drugs.
Sleep issues. After the loss of a loved one, individuals must learn to regulate their body’s own systems without this important relationship. Learning to live in their absence includes adjusting sleep patterns to go to sleep, stay asleep and to wake up with them not there, or without the comfort of knowing that they are somewhere. “Sleep systems will eventually return to normal, but it can take time,” O’Connor says. “If sleeplessness persists, cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to be an effective approach, even more effective than taking sleep medications.”
Recovering from Grief
What you're eating — or not eating — is another area of focus for those suffering from grief. Many bereaved people lose weight. In one study, 58 older adults who lost a spouse during a six-month period were compared to older married people. Researchers found that weight loss was greater among widowed adults, losing anywhere between two and 10 pounds.
"Losing extra pounds sounds like a good idea, but weight loss related to bereavement is usually not a positive thing," O'Connor says. "Weight loss during bereavement is usually a sign of poor nutrition." To support your body during grief, experts recommend focusing on nourishing meals by following a balanced diet, getting an easy-meals cookbook, watching a cooking show and eating with others to help boost your appetite.
"It's rarely suggested in standard medical practice, but medical visits following a major loss can help an individual prevent potential long-term health problems."
Grief is a natural response, not an illness. But like pregnancy, it temporarily leaves the body in a more vulnerable state, often disrupting sleep, memory and blood pressure as we adjust to the loss of a loved one. While these changes are expected early on, prolonged symptoms like chronic insomnia or high blood pressure may require medical attention.
Supporting physical recovery through healthy habits like quality sleep, balanced nutrition and stress management is essential during bereavement. It's also important to stay on top of routine health care by scheduling a visit with your primary care doctor, getting blood work done, attending dental checkups and making sure to get flu and vaccination shots to protect a weakened immune system when it may be more vulnerable.
"It's rarely suggested in standard medical practice, but medical visits following a major loss can help an individual prevent potential long-term health problems," O'Connor says.
