you most likely have heard the commonly used metaphor that a person "died of a broken heart." can such a thing happen?

well, there is a medical disorder called broken heart syndrome. another name for it is stress cardiomyopathy. Although some people may die from this condition, it is very unusual.

The broken heart syndrome is usually a temporary condition that is brought on by an acute stressful situation. Examples are an unexpected death of a loved one, receiving very bad news and the loss of a job or a great deal of money.

Chronic stress can affect a person's heart, but the symptoms of this syndrome are brought on by episodes of acute stress and not chronic stress.

Although the exact mechanism is not known, the cause is thought to be from the affect that a surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, has on the heart.

it is theorized that these hormones temporarily damage a part of the heart muscle, and it becomes weakened. As a result, the weakened heart does not pump as efficiently as it should.

Symptoms vary and include some of the same symptoms as a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heart rhythm and generalized weakness.

The good news is, though individuals may have to be hospitalized, usually the symptoms go away within a week, and the heart returns to its normal status.

thus far, most reports concerning this condition indicate that recurrence of the broken heart syndrome is unlikely. in contrast to a heart attack, where there is usually blockage of the coronary arteries, the coronary arteries are normal with this syndrome.

also, the results of an electrocardiogram are not consistent with a heart attack. The heart muscle, though weakened, it is not damaged as it is in a heart attack. As a result of the weakened heart, heart failure may take place and require treatment.

because the symptoms of a heart attack and the broken heart syndrome overlap, patients who have such symptoms should immediately seek medical care.

Dr. Murray Feingold is the physician in chief of The Feingold Center for Children in Massachusetts, medical editor of WBZ-TV and WBZ radio, and president of the Genesis Fund. The Genesis Fund is a nonprofit organization that funds the care of children born with birth defects, mental retardation and genetic diseases.