It also seems that hormones common to both sexes may play a part in triggering some of the same symptoms, but in different situations. Take those commonly known as the “flight or fight” hormones secreted by our adrenaline glands when we are in imminent danger—real or imagined—in order to facilitate a quick and forceful reaction. The rush of hormones into the bloodstream, called a hormone “surge,” may sometimes overwhelm or “stun” the heart and cause injury and even death.

The phenomenon of something we now call “broken heart syndrome” is relatively new, first recognized in this country in the early 1990’s. That may have been when they put a more scientific name to it, but haven’t there always been lovers who “died of a broken heart” following the death of someone they couldn’t live without? No matter what you call it, even animals (elephants, for example) will grieve over a lost member of their herd to the point of choosing to linger and die with it rather than leave the body behind.

Now I’m wondering why medical science only recently recognized what the writers of books and plays portraying loving relationships have known all along. We’ve been saying for ages that a broken heart can lead to death.

Think Romeo and Juliet.

Curated by Erbe
Original Article