Stress releases hormones that are toxic for the heart.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins University published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine showing how stress hormones can be toxic to the heart. Patients can suffer days-long surges in adrenalin and other stress hormones which "stun" the heart. Symptoms can be mistaken for a heart attack. Hearing unexpected sad news is linked to the release of these hormones and can cause a lot of damage.