A grieving mother in the U.K. has been hospitalized with takotsubo syndrome, or "broken heart syndrome," a rare condition triggered by extreme emotional stress. Dawn Turner, 57, experienced severe chest pains and heart palpitations less than a year after her veteran son, Rob Homans, died by suicide.
Turner initially feared she was having a heart attack. Hospital doctors diagnosed her with takotsubo syndrome, a temporary and reversible condition that mimics heart attack symptoms and primarily affects women over 50. The syndrome is often brought on by intense grief, fear, or physical stress.
Turner's son, a veteran of the U.K.'s Royal Horse Artillery, struggled with mental health challenges after his military service, including PTSD, before his death in August 2025. She noted difficulties he faced accessing adequate support services.
Doctors explained to Turner that intense grief and stress can physically affect the heart, causing it to weaken and temporarily change shape. While her heart sustained no lasting damage, she was advised to rest, seek counseling, and make lifestyle changes to manage stress.