What causes the physical feeling of a "heart break"?

Question

what happens to your body when you experience a "heart break",
its an emotional event that has physical consequences.

Answer 1

A Broken Heart is when a human being suffers from an emotional or physical loss of another person or living being to the extent in which they began to ache and hurt inside. This is called having a broken heart, more commonly called Heartbreak.

For many people having a broken heart is something that you may not realize at first, it takes time for an emotional or physical loss to be fully acknowledged. It can take a month or so, subsequent to the event from which the heart was 'broken' by, to realise that your heart is 'broken' and you are emotionally weaker and prone to depression.

In many legends and fictional tales, characters die after suffering devastating loss. In real life, this is usually observed in elderly couples that have been together for a very long period of time, usually several decades. When one spouse dies, the other usually dies as well within a year of the death. This is called Heartbreak Syndrome.

A famous example of Heartbreak Syndrome is that of the late Johnny Cash and that of his late wife June Carter Cash. Many widows/widowers suffer from Heartbreak Syndrome after the loss of his or her spouse.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a broken heart usually manifest themselves through psychological pain but for many the effect of a broken heart is physical. To describe the feeling of a broken heart is almost impossible to explain to someone who has not already experienced it. However, the following emotions and feelings are asociated with what is known as a broken heart:

It is an ache, a deep ache from the core of the body. It is a longing for the past, when you had what it was that broke your heart. It is the feeling that it is not worth getting out of bed in the morning for fear of the pain. It is untreatable. It is -in most cases- the loss of any respect for yourself. It is the only emotionally related syndrome which has no definite cure, some psychologists say time is the best cure whilst doctors say that there is no cure for an emotionally broken heart, whereas the more physical stress cardiomyopathy is a serious illness and must be treated.

Despite feeling a hue of depression and pain over nearly everything, the person with a broken heart must not become a recluse. Although at first one may find relief, being a recluse will only make things worse. Walking in the streets or fields is a way to refresh your mind, having time alone is helpful as it lets you think about the situation which caused the broken heart. Although the person with Heart Ache may not want to see anyone at all, it is essential that they talk to someone. Any member of his or her religious body, or even a friend (and rarely, family) are those best to seek empathy or guidance from.

Even the most extreme introvert will find it helpful to have a 'shoulder to cry on' or just to talk about how they are feeling. Perhaps even multiple.

A human heart once 'broken' can be mended, time heals a broken heart, a new relationship -in some cases- also heals a broken heart. But a human heart can be broken more than once. The symptoms remain the same. The increase in probability of contracting stress cardiomyopathy increases however.

Some scientists believe, when studying cases concerning Animal Sentience, that animals are conscious and have emotions such as joy/laughter. However, animals do not seem to suffer physical, emotional or psychological effects, such as a broken heart, from losses of any category. There are of course, exceptions. There is a report of a fully grown chimpanzee who stopped eating and died a few days later after the death of his mother. Also, elephants are known for mourning over the death of a herd member.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I read the answers here and apparently they have not had a broken heart. I does hurt and very bad physical and emotionally. Your heart itself is not hurt but the pain you feel inside is real. It is your bodies response to an emotionally hurt, just like your body would hurt when you cut yourself or break a bone. It just takes a lot of meditation and a lot of time. It is true that time heals all wounds, both physical and emotional. Get busy doing something that brought you pleasure before her, keep at it, it will not be easy at first. Bring in friends and family for support, they love you and are there for you. I promise, you will live through this and love again. I PROMISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Broken Heart Feeling

Answer 5

I did some research on this as I expierence physical pain upon being emotionally hurt by someone I love. Mostly women feel this physical pain, it has been linked to the sensors in the brain that "feel" pain from physical injury. It is very real and very painful.

Answer 6

ending a relationship is like morning the death of somebody you love, it's the death of a relationship. it's completely turning your life in another direction from being used to having somebody and then changing from a completely different person, being independent and fuctioning as a single person instead of a couple. if it's just a crush, it's wanting something you know that you can't obtain. i know i didn't really answer the question at all, but when your heart is broken i get very strong headaches

Answer 7

cortisol is released throughout the body causing a increase in stress levels
physically causing the lump in the throat,
pain the the heart and stomach

Answer 8

Emotion causes it. The psyche has a huge impact on the physical body AND vise versa.

Answer 9

It has physical consequences I really feel the pain. There is a part of me missing. (after losing my brother) we were real close, I will never be the same, A part of me is missing.

Answer 10

I have felt this before...not a good feeling. It is the worst, lowest most depressing hurt you could ever imagine. Odd...

By the way, I am totally over it now so keep the faith, ;)