What Is 'Happy Heart Syndrome,' in Which the Heart Develops Abnormalities Due to Overwhelming Happiness?

Doctors reported a rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy apparently triggered by overwhelming happiness, not stress.

A 65-year-old woman developed chest pain and shortness of breath after intense joy at her daughter’s wedding.

Tests showed reduced blood flow and left-ventricular ballooning without a clot, and her heart later recovered.

The case suggests strong positive emotions can also trigger this usually reversible heart condition.