Yes, it can. Bigly. This is not fake news. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
But all joking aside let us look at what the medical experts on broken hearts call SAD. Yep the medical syndrome that explains scientifically why some poor souls die of a broken heart is indeed described by the acronym Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, sad. Whoever put that together deserves a Pulitzer Prize (but certainly not the Nobel Peace Prize that the most divisive president (small p) like-ever so desperately craved simply because Obama got one - sad ).
Our faithful tech friend Gemini explains “The condition known as broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, can mimic a heart attack and, in extreme cases, lead to death, according to medical sources. This syndrome is triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, causing a sudden weakening of the heart's main pumping chamber”.
Reportedly when a loving (co-dependant?) soul suddenly loses a beloved partner, the shock can trigger the body to mimic a heart attack—affecting an estimated 1% of the bereaved. The intense stress response floods the system with adrenaline and other stress chemicals, overwhelming the heart and, in some cases, leading to death from a truly ‘broken heart.
Who hasn’t felt the crushing weight of that unique kind of grief, the sudden loss of a close relationship, whether through death, betrayal, or love collapsing into ruin? I have. In my twenties, I discovered an affair in my marriage, and the grief was overwhelming, far beyond disappointment or sadness. It felt physical, like a cruel steel claw twisting deep inside my chest.
So, to be asked to believe that some amongst us might in fact die as a consequence of a shocking incident of unexpected and sudden loss is not too big a step to imagine.
Back to Meta AI for some more background. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or "broken heart syndrome," was first described in Japan in 1990 and is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, often apical ballooning, triggered by intense physical or emotional stress. The syndrome presents like a heart attack with symptoms such as chest pain and elevated cardiac enzymes but is marked by typically normal coronary arteries. The proposed mechanism involves a surge of stress hormones like catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which temporarily "stuns" the heart muscle and leads to the characteristic shape resembling a Japanese octopus trap. Most people recover fully, though it is more common in postmenopausal women. (Jeez as if postmenopausal women did not have enough to contend with! God must certainly be a man or at least advised by one).
Of course, a broken heart doesn’t always come from tragic romance or losing a soulmate. In fact, some poor souls have literally dropped dead from winning the lottery. Imagine scratching off that golden ticket only to have your ticker call it quits. Talk about money can’t buy happiness, or in this case, even buy you enough time to spend it. Oh, the humanity (and the irony)!
You may even know someone, or know of someone, who has suffered what seems like death from a broken heart. Famous, well-documented cases from the U.S., highlighted in Meta AI’s research, include:
Debbie Reynolds:
The Hollywood icon died one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, in December 2016. While Reynolds died of a stroke, her son stated that her death was due to the overwhelming grief of losing her daughter.
Joe Garcia:
He passed away two days after his wife, Irma, was killed in the Uvalde, Texas school shooting in May 2022. His family attributed his sudden death to a broken heart, with doctors noting that such tragedies can trigger heart conditions.
George H.W. Bush:
The former U.S. President died just months after his wife, Barbara Bush, passed away in 2018. His granddaughter noted he appeared reflective about losing his lifelong companion and confirmed his heart was "broken".
Johnny Cash and June Carter
The man in black’s soulmate and love of 35 years, June Carter, died in May 2003 and heartbroken he followed her four months later.
The Parents of NFL star Doug Flutie
Flutie’s father died in hospital on November 18th, 2015. One hour later his mother died, medically of a heart attack but surely of a broken heart.
Pat and George Tillman
In the USA George and Pat, had been married for fifty-five years after first meeting on a blind date and then marrying on Valentine’s Day of 1959. After Pat became ill and was admitted to the hospital, George refused to leave her side and, in her final moments, he whispered the words “close your eyes, I’m coming with you.” Twenty-one hours later, Pat himself passed away.
Yes, but how many?
The Cleveland Clinic recently examined just how many people die each year from what’s clinically known as broken heart syndrome. Their findings, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed health data from nearly 200,000 U.S. adults between 2016 and 2020. The results were striking: although the condition is more frequently diagnosed in women, men were found to have a significantly higher mortality rate. Women affected by the syndrome had a death rate of 5.5%, while the figure for men was more than double at 11.2%. In other words, men are less likely to experience broken heart syndrome, but when they do, the outcomes are often far more severe.
Conclusion
My only advice for dodging SAD? Don’t fall too madly in love, and definitely don’t win the damn lottery. Safer still, retreat to a cave with million-dollar views and spend your days in peaceful, loveless solitude. Sure, you might eventually die of boredom—but at least not of broken heart syndrome.
And on that cheerful note, let’s fade out with Jimmy Ruffin’s soulful 1967 classic What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? A question for lovers, dreamers, and maybe even Japanese octopus trappers.
As I walk this land with broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
What becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe
The roots of love grow all around
But for me they come a-tumblin' down
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I can't stand this pain much longer
I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone to care
Always moving and goin' nowhere
What becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Help me
I'm searching, though I don't succeed
But someone look, there's a growing need
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning
All that's left is an unhappy ending
Now, becomes of the broken-hearted
Who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
I'll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care
I'll be looking everyday, I know I'm gonna find a way
Nothing's gonna stop me now
I'll find a way somehow
And I'll be searching everywhere
I know I gotta find a way
I'll be looking
Regards Magnum
(Octopus Heart)
For: Langtrees.com
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“This piece is a masterful blend of poignancy and wit, capturing the deeply human experience of heartbreak with remarkable clarity. You’ve expertly tackled the heavy topic of death by heartbreak, skillfully balancing it with sharp humor and honest reflection. The combination of personal experiences, medical insights, and cultural references—especially that Jimmy Ruffin outro—makes the narrative both informative and strikingly impactful. While I was familiar with takotsubo syndrome, your writing brought it to life in a way that truly resonates. The stories you shared, including those of Debbie Reynolds and Joe Garcia, hit hard and powerfully reinforce your message. This is beautifully crafted, unexpectedly funny, and genuinely moving. It serves as a compelling reminder that heartbreak is not just an emotional experience; it can affect us physically too. Bravo! ”
“"Don’t fall too madly in love"... Easier said than done. But wow, I never thought about how winning the lottery could also be fatal.”
“This was such an insightful read. It’s heartbreaking but also eye opening to understand how deeply our emotions can affect our physical health. I’ve always heard the phrase ‘dying of a broken heart’ but I didn’t realize there was a medical basis for it, like Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy (SAD). Thankyou for explaining it so clearly- it really highlights the importance of caring for both our emotional and physical wellbeing. ”
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