India, Sept. 9 -- Can intense emotional distress actually affect your heart and in some cases, can it even be fatal? According to board-certified cardiovascular surgeon Dr Jeremy London, the answer is yes. A condition known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, often referred to as 'broken heart syndrome', can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack and is frequently triggered by a major emotional event. (Also read: When 'just a fever' turns dangerous: Doctor shares 5 warning signs your infection needs urgent medical attention )

"You know, the short answer is yes, and it's called takotsubo's cardiomyopathy," Dr London said in a September 7 Instagram post, explaining the condition.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a temporary weakening of the heart muscl...