Can You Die of a Broken Heart?

Grief is one of the most powerful human emotions. When someone loses a loved one, the pain can feel physical rather than purely emotional. The phrase “dying of a broken heart” has existed for centuries. But is there any truth behind it? Can heartbreak really be fatal? And how can Laurelo support those most at risk?

At Laurelo we regularly see the deep and lasting effects that loss has on families. In some cases when one partner passes away, the surviving partner dies shortly afterwards. While this may seem coincidental, research shows there can be a real connection between grief and physical health.

The Science Behind a Broken Heart

Medical professionals recognise a genuine condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, often referred to as “broken-heart syndrome”. It occurs when intense emotional or physical distress causes the heart’s left ventricle to weaken or balloon temporarily, mimicking a heart attack.

In the UK a study led by Dana Dawson at the University of Aberdeen analysed outcomes in Scotland. The data from the Scottish Takotsubo Registry showed that patients with this condition had a hospital readmission rate of 743 per 1,000 person-years, compared to 365 per 1,000 person-years for the general population. The study found that for these patients life expectancy was similar to that of people who had suffered a heart-attack.

The research pointed out that although the condition might initially appear to resolve, the long-term risk remains significant and it is not yet treated in a tailored way in many cases.

Partner Loss and the Widowhood Effect

Beyond the syndrome itself, there is substantial evidence of increased mortality after the death of a partner. This is often referred to as the “Widowhood Effect”. While much of the data comes from international studies, the pattern holds in the UK and Europe: bereavement increases risk of illness and death for surviving partners.

For example, although not UK-specific in all respects, the evidence suggests that prolonged, intense grief is linked with higher risk of mortality within ten years after the loss of a loved one. euronews The key point for our clients is that when someone faces multiple losses in short succession, such as losing a first partner and then a second partner soon afterwards, the emotional and physical strain can be amplified.

How Laurelo Helps

At Laurelo we do more than deal with the paperwork of probate and estate administration. We appreciate that behind every case is a family navigating significant emotional change. Supporting families through that loss means offering care, compassion and clarity, not just process.

Here are some ways we provide that support:

Compassionate guidance
When families are grieving, even simple decisions can feel overwhelming. Our team offers calm, compassionate guidance to ease the administrative burden so families can focus on emotional recovery.

Collaboration with specialist support
We proactively connect families with bereavement and grief-specialist counsellors when appropriate. Maintaining social connection and healthy coping mechanisms reduces the risk of the harmful physical effects of grief.

Proactive estate-planning
Where possible we encourage clients to update wills, set up powers of attorney and trusts ahead of any further crisis. For older couples or those with complex family structures this brings both emotional and practical reassurance.

Human-centred planning
We believe estate-planning should involve more than legal documentation. It should also help people reflect on what matters most to them, what relationships they value and what kind of legacy they wish to leave. Research links sense of meaning and purpose with better recovery after trauma.

Prevention and Proactive Steps

While it is impossible to eliminate all risk, awareness and proactive steps make a meaningful difference. Here are practical actions for individuals and advisers alike:

• Recognise major emotional events as risk factors for physical as well as mental health
• Encourage maintaining social connections, routines, physical activity, good sleep and nutrition
• Be alert to signs of complicated or prolonged grief and refer for professional support
• Ensure that legal and financial planning is up to date to reduce uncertainty and stress
• Support clients to articulate their values, purpose and legacy in order to build resilience
• Use a client-relationship system (such as TomCRM) to track major life events and trigger wellbeing check-ins when necessary

Getting support from Laurelo

At Laurelo we offer more than legal expertise. We aim to provide human-centred support so that clients and families facing loss do not face the future alone. Whether we are helping someone through probate, or simply offering a listening ear, our goal remains the same: to ensure that every client’s life, legacy and loved-ones are supported in full.