Breaking up with your significant other really can kill you. Not in the eraser-killer way, rather that your heart can physically break, causing you to die. There's even a medical term for it -- Takotsubo cadriomyopathy (TC). The symptoms of TC are similar to that of a heart attack and "tend to follow exposure to an intense physical or emotional event." Like maybe catching your boyfriend in bed with another girl or having that final "it's over" discussion. Basically, the sudden surge of extra stress hormones like adrenaline temporarily weaken or stun part of the heart, meaning it stops functioning, and so do you.
In reality, it's unlikely your death certificate will have "broken heart" listed as the cause. It's easily treated and totally reversible. The emotional damage afterward ... well that's a different story. For that, we recommend good music and possibly breaking things. Our friends over at EW are doing a poll of the most heartbreaking songs of all time and we shouted to Twitter to add some good picks. Click here to read.

*@jackiesspotlight: "Dominoes," by Butch Walker. About an old man trying to remember his wife. "the chair across the table wasnt always empty."
*@BadGirl1016: "Not Gon' Cry," by Mary J. Gets me every time.
*@sethw: "12.23.95," by Jimmy Eat World and "Everything Reminds Me Of Her," by Elliott Smith. Metal dudes cry, too!
*@Cellogrl725: "All By Myself,"Eric Carmen
*@thegrlonthewall: "Megan," by The Smoking Popes. But a band called Bayside covered it and it's even more heartbreaking than the original.
What's on your breakup list? Angry like Alanis Morissette, self-pitying like Elliot Smith or a healthy blend, like Fiona Apple? Comment below or tell us on Twitter @lemondroptweets.
Break-Up Movies That Make Dying Alone Look Good
Revolutionary Road
"You ruined my life!"
"No, you ruined MY life!"
Ahahahahaaha agree to disagree, guys.
Amazon
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Who's afraid of being dragooned into a sham marriage with an emotionally abusive alcoholic? Uh, us.
Amazon
Heavenly Creatures
Ah, to be young and in love ... with a murdering sociopath.
Closer
You'll want to stay single for fear of accidentally dating whoever wrote the ham-fisted dialogue in this movie.
Amazon
Dangerous Liaisons
The inspiration for "Cruel Intentions," this movie transports you to new levels of horror in a corrupt artistocratic world where John Malkovich is trying to sleep with you.
Amazon
Eyes Wide Shut
If their marriage couldn't survive a Phantom of the Opera themed sex party, whose ever could?
Amazon
Hannah and Her Sisters
Really, any Woody Allen movie will do, as his idea of a perfect marriage is one where you sleep with a relative and getting away with it.
Amazon
Last Tango in Paris
If you're having anonymous, exciting sex in a sexy foreign city, chances are you will either end up dead or with a butt full of dairy products.
Amazon
Sid and Nancy
Love means never having to say I'm sorry I stabbed you in the gut when I was yooged up on smack.
Amazon
The Ice Storm
There's nothing sexier than perfunctory sex in a loveless marriage. Except maybe getting dry humped by somebody wearing a Nixon mask.
Amazon













Comments:
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Friday 27 March
By Gorton's Fisherman
if elliott smith is metal then phil collins is axe-wielding cannibalistic swedish crust punk.
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Friday 27 March
By kp
SMOKING POPES!!!
But I must argue that their most heartbreaking song is Pretty Pathetic.
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Sunday 29 March
By Erin
i have 2 heartbroken songs.
one is techno but the lyrics along with the beat make it more like my happy emo music. That song is All I Ever Wanted by Basshunter.
the other is country and i use it when i've been talk-talking to my ex for a while and he keeps saying we'll get back together but we never do. I dedicate this song to him when i finally give up. This song is White Horse by Taylor Swift.
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Monday 30 March
By Amanda
Yessss dominoes is SUCH a good song. And butch walker is amazing in general
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Thursday 09 April
By JSW
How about Harry Nillson - breakin my heart (oldie, but definately can fire you up) or Pat Benatar Little too late.
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Thursday 11 June
By Giovanna
Don't Cry by Guns n' Roses. Enough said.
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