BEREAVEMENT is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with new large-scale evidence suggesting the risk was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly following the loss of a partner or sibling.
A nationwide Swedish cohort study found that individuals who experienced the death of a close family member had higher rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular events compared with those who were not bereaved.
Researchers also observed that the association between bereavement and CVD was stronger during the pandemic period, suggesting heightened vulnerability during times of widespread health system disruption and social isolation.
Pandemic Linked to Stronger Cardiovascular Risk
Bereavement remained a consistent risk factor for cardiovascular disease both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with generally higher risk estimates observed during 2020–2021. The strongest increase was seen following the loss of a partner, with a smaller but similar pattern after sibling loss, while no significant change between periods was observed for child or parent loss.
Cardiovascular risk was highest in the first days and weeks after bereavement, particularly within the first 7 days, before declining over time, indicating a short-term period of heightened vulnerability for acute cardiovascular events.
Risk also varied by relationship type and age. Partner and parent loss were associated with increasing cardiovascular risk with age, whereas child and sibling loss showed stronger associations in younger individuals. The authors suggest these differences may reflect variations in dependency, caregiving roles and the psychological impact of loss across the life course.
Possible Mechanisms for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
The authors suggested that both psychological stress and disruptions to healthcare access may contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk observed following bereavement. They proposed that reduced social contact, delays in accessing care and interruptions to bereavement support services during the COVID-19 pandemic may have intensified the physiological and psychological impact of grief, particularly following sudden or COVID-19–related deaths.
The research team noted that these findings highlight bereavement as a clinically relevant period of increased cardiovascular risk, with potential value in early risk assessment and closer clinical monitoring in the weeks after loss of a close family member.
Reference
Yang F et al. Bereavement and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(4):e269102. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.9102.
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