Physical Symptoms of Grief: Why Bereavement Affects Your Body

If you are experiencing physical symptoms during bereavement — chest tightness, exhaustion, an inability to concentrate, or a body that simply feels heavier — you are not imagining it. Grief is a whole-body experience, not just an emotional one. Understanding why the body responds to loss in the ways it does can provide reassurance that what you are feeling is normal, and help you recognise when something warrants medical attention.

Broken heart syndrome: when grief becomes a cardiac event

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy — commonly known as broken heart syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy — is a well-documented medical condition in which sudden intense emotional stress causes a temporary weakening of the left ventricle of the heart. First described in Japan in 1990, it has since been extensively studied and is recognised by cardiologists worldwide.

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that the risk of a cardiac event is twenty-one times higher than normal in the 24 hours immediately following the death of a loved one. This risk remains elevated for several weeks. The physiological mechanism involves a sudden surge of stress hormones — adrenaline and cortisol — which can temporarily stun the heart muscle, causing symptoms that closely resemble a heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat.

Broken heart syndrome disproportionately affects older women, but can occur in anyone. Unlike a conventional heart attack, it is caused by emotional rather than arterial blockage, and most people recover fully within weeks. However, it requires the same urgent medical investigation as any cardiac event — if you or someone you know experiences chest pain or difficulty breathing in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement, call 999.

The immune system and bereavement

The relationship between grief and immune function has been studied since the 1970s, and the findings are consistent: bereavement significantly suppresses immune function in the months following a loss. Studies have found lower levels of T-lymphocytes (the white blood cells that defend against infection), reduced natural killer cell activity, and altered inflammatory markers in bereaved individuals compared to non-bereaved controls.

The practical consequences include:

• Greater susceptibility to common infections — colds, respiratory infections, and digestive upsets — in the months following bereavement
• Slower wound healing than normal
• Potential worsening of pre-existing conditions that are immune- mediated or inflammatory (such as asthma, eczema, or arthritis)

This immune suppression is driven by elevated cortisol and disrupted sleep — two of the most predictable consequences of acute grief. It does not mean that bereaved people are doomed to illness; rather, it means that looking after basic physical health during bereavement — rest, nutrition, and medical care when needed — is genuinely important, not self-indulgent.

Sleep disruption during grief: why it happens and what helps

Insomnia and sleep disruption are among the most consistently reported physical symptoms of bereavement. Three mechanisms contribute:

Hyperarousal: grief triggers the body's stress response, elevating cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are designed to keep us alert in the face of threat — which is precisely the wrong state for sleep. Many bereaved people report lying awake with racing thoughts that are impossible to switch off.

Intrusive thoughts and images: particularly in the early weeks after a death, distressing memories, imagined final moments, or thoughts about the future without the person can interrupt sleep repeatedly throughout the night.

Changed sleep environment: for people who have lost a partner, the absence of another person in a bed that was shared for years is a constant, unavoidable reminder of the loss — and disrupts the familiar cues that previously initiated sleep.

Evidence-based approaches that can help include maintaining a regular sleep schedule even when sleep feels impossible, avoiding alcohol (which fragments sleep architecture even while inducing drowsiness), limiting screen exposure before bed, and — if sleep disruption is severely impacting daily function — speaking to your GP, who can advise on short-term options and refer you to sleep therapy.

Grief brain: cognitive changes after bereavement

'Grief brain' is an informal term for a cluster of cognitive symptoms that many bereaved people experience and find deeply disorienting: an inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, difficulty making even small decisions, mental fogginess, and a sense that the mind is simply not functioning at its normal speed or clarity.

These symptoms have a neurological basis. Grief activates the brain's stress response centres, particularly the amygdala (which processes emotional responses) and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for reasoning, planning, and decision-making). Under sustained stress, the prefrontal cortex functions less efficiently — which is why complex thinking, concentration, and memory retrieval all become harder.

Additionally, the brain actively processes grief during sleep — in particular, during REM (dreaming) sleep. When sleep is disrupted, this emotional processing is impaired, which can prolong cognitive symptoms. For many people, improvements in sleep quality lead directly to improvements in cognitive function.

If your work or daily responsibilities require you to make important decisions during the acute phase of bereavement, it is worth acknowledging — to yourself and, where appropriate, to colleagues — that your cognitive capacity may be temporarily reduced. Wherever possible, delay major financial, legal, or life decisions for at least a few months.

When to see your GP: warning signs during bereavement

Most physical symptoms of grief resolve gradually as the acute phase passes. However, some symptoms warrant medical attention:

• Chest pain or palpitations: always seek urgent medical review — do not assume it is grief-related without assessment
• Difficulty breathing at rest: urgent GP appointment or A&E if severe
• Persistent fever or signs of infection: immune suppression makes infections more likely; do not delay seeking treatment
• Severe or prolonged insomnia (weeks with minimal sleep): a GP can assess and advise on safe, evidence-based interventions
• Significant and prolonged appetite loss or weight change: speak to your GP if eating is severely disrupted for more than a few weeks
• Thoughts of self-harm: contact your GP urgently, call the Samaritans on 116 123, or go to A&E

GPs are experienced in supporting bereaved patients and will not dismiss your concerns. The physical and mental health impacts of bereavement are well recognised in primary care — you should not feel that you are wasting anyone's time by seeking support.