Females are seven to nine times more likely to than males to suffer from “broken heart syndrome.” When someone suffers a sudden emotional shock, such as the break-up of a relationship or death of a loved one, they may experience heart attack-like symptoms. Usually no permanent damage is done but the sudden rush of adrenaline and other stress hormones may cause the heart to react as it might during a heart attack. Tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances typical of a heart attack, but none of the blockages that typically cause one.

According to Dr. Abhiram Prasad, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, “It’s the only cardiac condition where there’s such a female preponderance.”

One reason women suffer from this more than males may have to do with males having more adrenaline receptors on cells in their hearts than women. This may make men able to handle stress better. To read the whole story from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, click here.