A broken heart is the subject matter for countless love songs, but experiencing a traumatic event like the loss of a loved one can have serious cardiac consequences. Broken heart syndrome, known in the medical world as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo, is a condition that was only recognised relatively recently, but may be more common than we think.
Because it’s often brought on by stressful situations, extreme emotions and even physical shock, it can strike healthy people who have never experienced cardiac-related problems in their lives.
It came as a massive shock to Deirdre Doyle (66), from Co Kildare, to learn that she had developed the condition and became seriously ill as a result. The retired teacher, who prides herself on being fit and active with lots of interests and hobbies, is keen to make people aware of the condition she developed one that most of us have never heard of.