A groundbreaking new study from Denmark has found that the deep sorrow experienced after losing a loved one can significantly raise the risk of death over the following decade — especially for those suffering from intense grief symptoms.
Published in Frontiers in Public Health and reported by CNN, the research followed 1,735 bereaved individuals for 10 years, uncovering a troubling link between prolonged grief and mortality.
Grief’s Profound Physical Toll
Researchers at Aarhus University divided participants into two groups based on the intensity of their grief: “low” and “high” symptom levels. Shockingly, 26.5% of participants with high grief symptoms died during the study period, compared to only 7.3% in the low grief group.
“High levels” of grief were defined as experiencing more than half of nine psychological symptoms, including:
- Emotional numbness
- Feelings of meaninglessness
- Difficulty accepting the loss
- Identity confusion
These symptoms weren’t short-lived either. Participants completed detailed questionnaires at the beginning of the study, then again six months and three years after their loss — providing a comprehensive overview of their emotional state over time.
A Hidden Healthcare Crisis
The study also revealed that people suffering intense grief were more likely to seek medical help, with higher use of:
- Antidepressants
- Primary care services
- Mental health support
Lead researcher Selina K. Nielsen explained that those with a high grief trajectory may already be vulnerable even beforethe loss occurs. Factors like low socioeconomic status, poor self-reported health, and pre-existing depression or anxiety contribute to how grief manifests and lingers.
“These individuals may need additional support,” Nielsen emphasized. “They may experience distress and have difficulties coping with the situation.”
The Long Shadow of Bereavement
Experts unaffiliated with the study agree that the findings reinforce the growing recognition of grief’s impact on physical health.
Cardiologist Sian Harding, professor emeritus of cardiac pharmacology at Imperial College London, noted that while the short-term effects of bereavement on the heart are well-documented, this study shows that the long-term consequencesare just as critical.
“It was not a particular surprise to me that this form of prolonged stress has a damaging effect on the body. It can result in heart disease and other complications,” Harding stated.
Grief-related stress can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Elevated cortisol (stress hormone) levels
- Increased diabetes risk
- Weakened immunity
- Mental health issues like depression and anxiety
One particularly well-known condition, “broken heart syndrome” (also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy), highlights how emotional trauma can suddenly weaken the heart muscle — even mimicking a heart attack.
How Healthcare Systems Can Respond
The research suggests there may be a window of opportunity for early intervention. Healthcare providers who are closely involved in end-of-life care could identify at-risk family members and offer mental health follow-ups soon after the loss.
Such support could be life-saving — not just emotionally but physically.
