Researchers measured how intensely people experienced grief by using the\u00a0Prolonged Grief-13 Scale.<\/p>\n
The bereaved with the highest intensity grief that persisted had double the risk of premature death over ten years.<\/p>\n
This was in comparison to those who reported experiencing the lowest levels of grief after losing a loved one.<\/p>\n
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of the increased mortality observed in those with high levels of grief.<\/p>\n
But lead author of the study, Dr Mette Kj\u00e6rgaard Nielsen, a public health expert at Aarhus University said: ‘We have previously found a connection between high grief symptom levels and higher rates of cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, and even suicide.’<\/p>\n
They also found those with the most intense grief had been prescribed mental health treatment before they lost a loved one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/100630787-14939991-image-m-27_1753446162272.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A new study has revealed highly intensity grief that persists can send you to an early grave<\/p>\n
So, Dr Nielsen told MedicalExpress: ‘A GP could look for previous signs of depression and other severe mental health conditions.’<\/p>\n
This would allow them to refer them to the relevant secondary care or follow-up bereavement appointments focusing on mental health, she advised.<\/p>\n
The study which started in 2012, followed participants who were of an average age of 62 for ten years.<\/p>\n
It identified five ‘grief trajectories’ that categorised how participants experienced their grief.<\/p>\n
The most common, experienced by 38 per cent, was ‘persistently low levels of grief symptoms’.<\/p>\n
Then nearly a fifth had ‘high but decreasing’ symptoms, while 29 per cent had ‘moderate but decreasing’ grief.<\/p>\n
Another nine per cent of participants began with lower levels of grief that increased, peaking at six months, before reducing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"In](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/100630879-14939991-In_the_study_only_six_per_cent_of_participants-a-29_1753446471307.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In the study only six per cent of participants reported experiencing the highest levels of grief<\/p>\n
The six per cent with highest grief’ symptoms that persisted over time, were those with a higher risk of an early death.<\/p>\n
Previously experts warned found that grief can cause broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy<\/p>\n
The life-threatening phenomenon, which affects around 2,500 Brits every year, is a reaction by the heart to a sudden release of stress hormones.<\/p>\n
This causes part of the heart to become temporarily enlarged and struggle to pump blood properly.<\/p>\n
Experts say it can cause the same symptoms and complications as a heart attack, which can be life-threatening.<\/p>\n
However, unlike those who suffer heart attacks, broken heart syndrome is not linked with blocked arteries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But it can be misdiagnosed as a heart attack, stopping patients from receiving the right treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n