The so-called «broken heart» is a metaphorical expression that describes a biological condition with real physical symptoms. The metaphor of the broken heart dates back to ancient times; in ancient cultures, the heart was considered the center of emotions, the soul, and life itself. In literature, poetry, and philosophy, the broken heart symbolizes unbearable pain and grief, often associated with lost love.
In the medical condition known as broken heart syndrome (also called stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo syndrome, as named by the Japanese researchers who first studied it), intense emotional stress causes a temporary weakening of the heart's left ventricle, producing symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. However, unlike a heart attack, there is no blockage of the coronary arteries; instead, there is a direct effect on the heart muscle cells caused by the massive release of adrenaline following the stressful event.
The condition is more common in women and, when diagnosed, is reversible. A «broken heart» is generally a combination of emotional pain and the body's biological response to stress. Although the suffering may be temporary, in the most severe cases it can have serious consequences for health.
This connection between emotions and the body highlights how deeply emotional experiences can affect our organism and our physical well-being. Think, for example, of how emotional pain is often experienced in a very physical way: when we go through emotionally painful situations, we may experience increased hunger or loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, general malaise, insomnia or hypersomnia, and even heart palpitations and chest pain.
From a biological perspective, intense emotional pain can affect the body through the nervous and hormonal systems, with particularly significant effects on the heart. Levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain decrease, increasing feelings of sadness and anxiety; in response to severe stress, the autonomic nervous system, especially the sympathetic nervous system, becomes activated, releasing adrenaline and cortisol, which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.