'Overall the bereaved who participated in CARBER had increases in anxiety, depression and anger symptoms, together with elevated stress hormones and reduced sleep and appetite,' said Buckley.

'They also showed increases in blood pressure and heart rate, together with immune and blood clotting changes - all changes that could contribute towards a heart attack,' he said.

The study also found that most of the heart risks of bereavement faded after six months.

Geoffrey Tofler, cardiologist at SUMS and senior study investigator, says that at a time when the focus is naturally on the deceased person, this study shows the importance of maintaining the health of bereaved family members.

The results were published in the Internal Medicine Journal.