Yes, you CAN die of a broken heart

Broadcast legend Steve Wright died of a ‘broken heart’ after losing his BBC Radio 2 show, his friend has speculated.

Publicist Gary Farrow, who knew the legendary presenter for four decades, said the 69-year-old was ‘devastated’ after bosses axed his popular afternoon slot in 2022. 

Wright was found dead at his £2million flat in Marylebone, west London, on Monday morning after paramedics were ‘called to reports of an incident’. 

Broken heart syndrome, medically known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is triggered by extreme emotional distress that weakens one of the heart’s chambers.  

Around 2,500 Brits suffer from the condition every year.

Steve Wright pictured in 1980. Wright was found dead at his £2million flat in Marylebone, west London, kingslot96 on Monday morning after paramedics were ‘called to reports of an incident’

It is caused by a sudden release of stress hormones, which causes part of the heart to become temporarily enlarged and struggle to pump blood properly.

The loss of a loved one, financial worries and a sudden illness are examples of stressful triggers that can bring on the syndrome, according to the British Heart Foundation. 

Symptoms can include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea and vomiting. 

It is usually temporary and many people make a full recovery. 

But the syndrome can permanently affect the heart’s pumping motion, delaying the twisting movement made by the muscle during a heartbeat.