(NECN: Brian Burnell, Hartford, Conn.) - British screenwriter Simon Monjack was found dead in his Los Angeles home Sunday night. He had a heart ailment, but many believe he may have died of a broken heart.
NECN reporter Brian Burnell talks with a cardiologist who says that is possible. According to Dr. Paul Thompson, it can happen.
Simon Monjack was married to actress Brittany Murphy; she died suddenly late last year and, by all accounts, he was devastated.
It is tragedy repeated. Last December, actress Brittany Murphy collapsed and died in the Los Angeles home she shared with her husband, screenwriter Simon Monjack, and her mother, Sharon Murphy. She was found by her mother. Over the weekend, Sharon Murphy found Monjack dead on the floor of the home. An L.A. coroner says it looks like natural causes and Monjack did have a heart condition and was scheduled for surgery. But...
Dr. Paul Thompson, Hartford Hospital Chief of Cardiology: "You can absolutely have a heart attack from heartbreak."
Local
It is clear Simon Monjack was a sick man but just as clear was his devastation at the death of his young wife. At her funeral he was emotional, calling her his best friend and soul mate. Dr. Thompson says deeply felt emotions like sadness lead to the production of adrenaline which affects the heart.
Dr. Paul Thompson, Hartford Hospital Chief of Cardiology: "The heart muscle can actually get over-stimulated and it doesn't function very well. And we call that takosubus cardiomyopothy. Takasubu is the term for an octopus jar in japan. Its got a narrow neck and its got a big base. The arteries that go to heart can be totally normal but the heart muscle looks like its not contracting. It looks big and baggy like an octopus jar."
Dr. Thompson calls this a fake heart attack because the arteries are fine but the heart muscle is not. He says most people who have this recover fully.
We're talking about sadness but, obviously, any emotion can cause this affect. And as you talk to Dr. Thompson you learn language really illustrates that.
Dr. Paul Thompson, Hartford Hospital Chief of Cardiology: "Frightened to death is an old term going back centuries but it probably exists for some people. Quite rarely but these studies over the last few years have really shown that this can happen."
This condition is rare, but it is not too far a reach to think Simon Monjack's heart condition and his sorrow both contributed to his death.
