Can you actually die of a broken heart?

Citations

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S.G. José, et al. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and COVID-19: A case report and literature review. Current Cardiology Reviews. Published online September 16, 2022. doi: 10.2174/1573403X18666220818155039.  

T. Singh et al. Takotsubo syndrome: pathophysiology, emerging concepts, and clinical implications. Circulation. Vol. 145, March 29, 2022, p. 1002. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.055854.  

J-.R. Ghadri et al. International expert consensus document on takotsubo syndrome (Part I): Clinical characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and pathophysiology. European Heart Journal. Vol. 39, June 2018, p. 2032. doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy076.  

C.J. Lacey et al. Copy number variants implicate cardiac function and development pathways in earthquake-induced stress cardiomyopathy. Scientific Reports. Published online May 15, 2018. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25827-5. 

Bethany was previously the staff writer at Science News for Students. She has a Ph.D. in physiology and pharmacology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.