JAKARTA - Recent research shows that profound grief after losing a loved one can indeed increase the risk of long-term death. The risk of death is higher within 10 years of the loss, compared to those who experience less severe grief.
As reported by Euronews, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, the study was published in Frontiers in Public Health by a team at Aarhus University in Denmark. It involved 1,753 participants who had recently lost a loved one.
The participants were divided into two groups: those experiencing severe grief and those experiencing milder symptoms. The results were surprising: 26.5 percent of those experiencing severe grief died within 10 years, compared to only 7.3 percent of those experiencing less severe grief.
Symptoms of severe grief encompassed more than half of the nine indicators of grief, including feelings of emotional numbness, loss of meaning in life, difficulty accepting reality, and confusion about one's identity.
In addition to the increased mortality rate, participants experiencing severe grief were also recorded as having more frequent access to healthcare services. They use antidepressants, mental health services, and primary care more frequently than other groups.
"This group appears to have been vulnerable even before the loss of a loved one occurred, requiring special attention," said lead study author Mtte Kjaergaard Nielsen.
Nielsen also added that factors such as low economic status, poor personal health, and high symptoms of depression and anxiety also exacerbate grief reactions.
The emotional distress caused by this loss ultimately triggers various other health problems, such as heart problems, diabetes risk, and high blood pressure, which further increase the risk of death.
"One of the important things about this study is its long-term perspective. We know that loss does have an acute impact on heart health," explained Sian Harding, emeritus professor of cardiac pharmacology at Imperial College London, regarding the study's findings.
Therefore, increased attention to those experiencing heartbreak due to loss is essential. Nielsen said that support from those closest to them could be key to saving them.
"Early intervention and support can be the key to saving lives," Nielsen concluded.
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