Why Happiness Can Lead to Broken Heart Syndrome

We all know the ties between sadness and broken hearts. But can happiness break your heart, too?

FOX’s Alex Hein reports:

This is Housecall for Health.

A rare condition known as broken heart syndrome is typically associated with an emotionally devastating or stressful event. But now a new study from Europe reveals the condition can also be brought on by happy and positive emotions.

It’s the first time researchers have linked pleasant experiences with broken heart syndrome, which causes sudden temporary weakness in the heart muscle.

Many negative forms of emotional stress like grief, fear, anger and anxiety are known to trigger episodes of it.

The syndrome is easily confused with a heart attack because people who experience the syndrome have symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

Researches say that perhaps happy and negative events, while distinct in nature, share a common emotional pathway in the central nervous system, which can trigger the symptoms. While much is unknown, the good news is that patients often make a quick and full recovery with no long-term damage.

For more on this story, check foxnewshealth.com.

Housecall for Health, I’m Alex Hein, FOX News.