You understand how heartbreak feels if you’ve ever lost or broken up with a significant someone. However, it appears to be far more hazardous to one’s wellbeing than previously considered. So can you actually die of a broken heart? Well, the doctors say yes.
The so-called Broken Heart Syndrome, according to doctors, is not only emotionally distressing, but also possibly lethal.
Despite the fact that dying from a shattered heart is more of a plot device than a real-life occurrence, experts have warned that it is a very real ailment that impairs “the heart’s usual pumping function.”
Broken heart syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, is “is a temporary heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions.” The clinic went on to explain that it could lead to death in some cases.
Although “most people who have Broken Heart Syndrome quickly recover and don’t have long-lasting effects,” it is crucial to be aware of signs such as chest pain and shortness of breath while coping with a traumatic experience.
“Heart attacks are generally caused by a complete or near-complete blockage of a heart artery. In broken heart syndrome, the heart arteries are not blocked, although blood flow in the arteries of the heart may be reduced,” Mayo Clinic noted.
Broken heart syndrome is thought to be more common in women than in men, with age also playing a role, as the illness primarily affects those over the age of 50. People who suffer from anxiety or depression are also at a higher risk of developing the condition.