Heartbreak-induced mortality following bereavement is supported by scientific evidence, as per a recent study.
In a groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Public Health, researchers have found that relatives who experience high levels of persistent grief are at significantly increased risk of long-term health problems, including nearly double the risk of death within 10 years.
The study, conducted over a decade, involved 1,735 participants from Denmark, who were divided into groups based on their levels of grief symptoms. Participants filled out questionnaires at the start of the study, as well as six months and three years after their bereavement, allowing researchers to collect their symptoms.
Sian Harding, a cardiologist and professor emeritus of cardiac pharmacology at Imperial College London, commended the researchers for isolating the specific effect of grief on health. She noted that prolonged stress caused by bereavement can lead to raised blood pressure, raised cortisol, an increased risk of diabetes, and poor mental health.
Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen, a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University in Denmark and co-author of the study, stated that relatives with high grief trajectories may need additional support and may experience distress and have difficulties coping with the situation. She also suggested that healthcare workers may be able to discover distressed relatives early in the patient's illness trajectory and offer follow-up.
The study found that individuals with sustained high grief symptoms had an 88% higher risk of dying within 10 years compared to those with low grief symptoms. Relatives who showed high levels of grief symptoms had a death rate of 26.5%, compared to 7.3% for those with low levels of grief symptoms.
Moreover, the group with persistent grief was found to use mental health services up to 186% more and had much higher odds of being prescribed antidepressants and sedatives, indicating ongoing mental health challenges.
Sian Harding noted that the study did not investigate the bereaved relatives' causes of death but aligns with wider research showing the effect a traumatic loss can have on a person's physical health. She also highlighted that pre-existing mental health vulnerability, such as prior use of psychotropic medications and lower education levels, may predict who is more susceptible to severe and prolonged grief effects.
The excess mortality risk after bereavement remains pronounced over at least 10 years, suggesting long-term physiological and psychological impacts. Healthcare providers, especially general practitioners, are encouraged to identify those at risk of prolonged grief through prior mental health history and provide targeted follow-up care to mitigate adverse outcomes.
In summary, prolonged intense grief can lead to chronic stress responses that increase the likelihood of heart disease and other serious health problems, substantially raising the risk of mortality among bereaved relatives over many years. The latest study's findings may inspire healthcare workers to take a proactive approach in identifying and supporting bereaved relatives who may be at risk.
Health-and-wellness professionals may need to provide additional support for relatives exhibiting high levels of grief, as prolonged grief may lead to long-term health problems such as heart disease and increased mortality risk. Moreover, mental health challenges, such as increased use of mental health services and a higher prescription rate for antidepressants and sedatives, are more prevalent in those with persistent grief.
