Mind & Mood
Grief can raise blood pressure
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Extreme grief doesn't just tax our souls — it can raise our blood pressure, posing higher risks for cardiovascular problems, a small new study suggests.
The analysis, published online June 1, 2023, by Psychosomatic Medicine, included people who had lost a close loved one in the prior year. Researchers interviewed the participants, who were asked to focus on feelings of separation and attachment in a process known as a "grief recall." Participants were asked to share a moment when they felt very alone after their loved one's death. The researchers then measured the participants' blood pressure.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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