But can these experiences actually—literally—break your heart? Broken heart syndrome often occurs at times of acute emotional stress, such as the sudden death of a loved one. Yes, they can, and they do. The condition is called broken heart syndrome.

What happens when your heartstrings break?

The bad news: Broken heart syndrome can lead to severe, short-term heart muscle failure. The good news: Broken heart syndrome is usually treatable. Most people who experience it make a full recovery within weeks, and they're at low risk for it happening again (although in rare cases it can be fatal).

What is it called when the heart strings break?

Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition can also be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. It may also be called stress cardiomyopathy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome.