Grief and Its Effects on Health

Losing someone close can deeply affect those left behind—spouses and parents, especially. A recent survey featured in a journal on July 24 found that those grieving face a heightened risk of mortality linked to their sorrow.

This study connects grief to various health issues, like heart problems and increased cortisol levels, alongside sleep disturbances, immune system changes, inflammation, blood clots, and even what’s called broken heart syndrome.

Many studies have indicated that individuals mourning the loss of loved ones have a greater likelihood of early death. For instance, research from 2014 found that the death rate climbs approximately 25% in the first year following a partner’s death among older adults, peaking in the initial three months. Those over 60 who lost a spouse were found to be at double the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke compared to their peers who did not suffer such a loss.

Dr. Lisa Schulman, a neurology professor at the University of Maryland, noted that grief can provoke the body’s “fight or flight” response: “Your heart races, blood pressure spikes, breathing quickens, and you may even sweat.” She added that for widows and widowers, grief can sometimes result in chronic stress.

Dr. George Slavich, director at the UCLA Institute for Stress Assessment and Research, has pointed out that enduring grief can severely impact health, increasing the risk of conditions like cancer and premature death.

A study from Denmark explored this connection by monitoring 1,735 bereaved individuals over a decade. On average, participants were 62 years old at the study’s start.

Using data from the National Register of Drug Prescriptions, researchers involved those whose loved ones were recently receiving treatment for terminal illnesses. They categorized grieving relatives based on their losses: 66% lost spouses, 27% lost parents, and 7% lost loved ones in other relationships.

Grief symptoms were assessed at three intervals: before the death, six months later, and three years after. The study categorized participants into five general trajectories, from “low grief” to “high grief.” Those in the “high grief” category faced an 88% higher risk of dying within ten years compared to those in the “low grief” category.

Interestingly, individuals with high grief were 186% more likely to seek talk therapy, 463% more likely to be prescribed antidepressants, and 160% more likely to receive anxiety medications.

Throughout the ten-year study, 21.5% of families in the high grief category passed away, compared to just 7.3% from the low grief group.

Dr. Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen highlighted that the high grief group tended to have lower educational levels and more frequent use of medication prior to bereavement. This suggests a level of mental vulnerability that can lead to increased distress during mourning.