New research suggests that intense, long-term grief can significantly increase the risk of death, lending weight to the idea that it may be possible to die of a “broken heart” — even years after losing a loved one.
A decade-long Danish study has found that people experiencing the most persistent and severe grief after the death of a partner, parent, or close relative were 88% more likely to die within 10 years compared to those with the least intense symptoms.
The findings, published in Frontiers in Public Health, are based on a study of over 1,700 adults, primarily women, with an average age of 62. Participants were grouped into five categories based on the severity and duration of their grief. Those in the highest grief trajectory were found to have significantly worse health outcomes over the long term.
“These results suggest that grief can be much more than just emotional suffering — it can have serious implications for physical health and longevity,” said Mette Kjærgaard Nielsen, a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University and one of the study’s authors.
The research showed that people in the high-grief group were also far more likely to be using antidepressant medications or receiving psychological therapy more than three years after their loss. However, by the seven-year mark, the differences in mental health support between groups began to level off.
While the exact link between prolonged grief and early death remains unclear, Nielsen noted that individuals in the high-grief category often had lower education levels and were already using mental health medications before their loved ones died. This, she said, may indicate underlying psychological vulnerabilities that made them more susceptible to intense and lasting bereavement distress.
The study’s relatively small sample size — with just 107 participants in the high-grief group — means further research is needed to confirm the findings. Still, the results align with previous studies connecting grief to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, and suicide.
One known condition, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome,” is often triggered by extreme emotional stress. It mimics heart attack symptoms and can lead to temporary heart failure. Women are more likely to develop the condition, but men have a higher fatality rate, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Earlier studies have also shown that widowed individuals face elevated risks of death from heart disease, suicide, and even digestive and respiratory issues in the years following their loss.
Nielsen said the latest findings could help medical professionals better identify bereaved patients at higher risk. “This knowledge enables GPs and mental health professionals to offer early, tailored interventions and support,” she said, “potentially preventing further health deterioration after such a profound loss.”
