Losing a loved one, or any other difficult emotional experience, is often referred to as being “heartbreaking”. But did you know it can, quite literally, affect your heart? Martha* had no idea it was possible. Four years ago, the then 57-year-old was unnerved when her phone rang one morning. It was her adult son, calling to say his beloved two-year-old dog had been hit by a car and killed. When it comes to heart issues an overlooked component is the effect of our emotions. Credit:Stocksy Martha was sad about the dog, but was more upset by her son’s distress. That evening, her son came over. As she hugged him, Martha felt a sharp pain shooting through the middle of her back. “And I thought, ‘This isn’t quite right,’ ” she says. At first, Martha thought she’d pulled a muscle. But as the pain intensified, she grew more concerned. Half […]