Yahoo! News - Doctors Say Loss Can Cause a Broken Heart
Confirming the wisdom of the poets and philosophers, doctors say the sudden death of a loved one really can cause a broken heart. In fact, they have dubbed the condition "broken heart syndrome."

In a study published just in time for Valentine's Day, doctors reported how a tragic or shocking event can stun the heart and produce classic heart attack-like symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs.

Unlike a heart attack, the condition is reversible. Patients often are hospitalized but typically recover within days after little more than bedrest and fluids, and suffer no permanent damage to their hearts.

For the first couple weeks after Kristin's death I had times of intense pressure in my chest, and bouts of "flutters" in my heartbeat. It literally hurt, but not enough to run to a doctor. Besides, I can't afford a doctor anyway.