Can people die of a broken heart?
On One Hand: Yes, It Is Called Broken Heart SyndromeAccording to the Washington Post, broken heart syndrome (BHS) is a legitimate condition. BHS occurs when someone loses the person they love, which then unleashes a wave of stress hormones that cause the heart to spasm–potentially killing even a very healthy person.On the Other: Not Very CommonAccording to the Wall Street Journal, BHS almost exclusively occurs in postmenopausal women. Overall, BHS only afflicts about 1 to 2 percent of the population and 6 percent of women who go to the hospital with a heart attack. However, most people who experience this episode do recover.Bottom LineYes, you can die from a broken heart. Other stress may also cause BHS, such as giving a public speech or walking into a surprise party. Treating this type of heart condition is much different than treating a regular blood clot.
