Most people consider heartbreak to be an emotional problem. We assume that when we say “heartbreak,” we’re referring to emotional distress, but the reality is that the consequences extend far beyond that.

The term “broken heart syndrome” refers to a physical condition. Heartbreak has far-reaching consequences that go beyond the typical grief symptoms of sadness and depression. There’s more to it than tears and emotional scars. If this surprises you, I strongly advise you to read the following list of physical effects of heartbreak.

1. Your heart rate begins to drop.

The heart rates of people in the moments after they were made to feel socially rejected were studied in a study published in Psychological Science. They discovered that when people were hurt or heartbroken, their heart rates dropped.

2. Stress levels have risen.

When we are bereft of a loved one, our stress levels skyrocket. As a result, our bodies produce stress hormones, which can lead to a variety of negative consequences

3. Loss of appetite.

If you’ve ever been heartbroken, you’ve probably gone through this. Almost everyone who has ever been heartbroken has lost weight as a result of the experience.

4. You lose your concentration.

When you’re heartbroken, it’s difficult to think clearly. Shortly after a heartbreak, both critical thinking skills and self-control deteriorate.

5. Cardiomyopathy caused by stress.

In some cases, after a heartbreak, a portion of the heart is temporarily enlarged. This causes a temporary heart problem that can make you feel like you’re having a heart attack.

6. Physical discomfort

Physical pain can be caused by emotional distress. This is why many people with depression report headaches, aches and pains, and other physical symptoms to their doctors.

7. Behaviour that resembles addiction.

When we break up or get heartbroken, we crave the person who broke our heart, much like when we get addicted to hard drugs. We may keep promising ourselves that we won’t look at their photo or stalk their Facebook page, but when we do, we feel temporarily relieved.

8. Hair loss 

We often lose our hair when we are heartbroken because of the high levels of stress it causes us. You may notice this even months later, and it’s because our bodies don’t fully register stress at first.

9. Nausea 

A broken heart, particularly one caused by loss or a major betrayal, can cause nausea and even vomiting in the body.

10. Sleeping difficulties

After a breakup, our bodies produce a lot of stress hormones, which can make us sleepless. For months, we might end up sleeping less and tossing and turning.

11. Isolation on an emotional level.

It’s natural for people to withdraw and lose interest in spending time with others after a major heartbreak. However, progesterone levels will likely return to normal after a few months, allowing us to push ourselves to spend more time with others.

12. Panic attacks 

Panic attacks are a terrifying experience. Because heartbreak causes the heart to enlarge, it can cause our hearts to beat irregularly. This could be enough to trigger a panic attack, but when you add in the increased levels of cortisol (the fight/flight hormone), it’s no surprise that heartbreak triggers severe panic attacks.