Broken Heart Syndrome

Thomas Barrett Ulam at 88 years old, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2009. His wife, Mary Catherine Ulam who was 82 years old, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. They had been married 62 years.

I would say that they were really in love, huh?

April 2009 in Troy, Kansas, Arnita Yingling died in her sleep at the age of 93. Six hours later, her husband Lyle Yingling, age 95, died. They had been married 67 years..

Coincidence? Is it possible to die of a broken heart?

Quite simply put...yes. It has been named the "Broken Heart Syndrome" or "Stress Cardiomyopathy."

The stress hormones, namely adrenalin and noradrenalin, suddenly flood the system and stun the heart which is unprepared for the large quantity of hormones thus impairing the heart's ability to pump.

In contrast to the first sited couple, last month, Sir Edward Downes, a British conductor and his wife, Lady Joan, a former ballerina, choreographer and TV producer chose to end their lives, hand in hand, via assisted suicide at a Zurich clinic. Sir Edward at 85 years of age was almost blind and increasingly deaf while 74 year old Lady Joan may have received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. The couple did not leave an explanation for their decision to die together after 54 years of marriage.

Three couples.

Two different scenarios.

One reason.

Love.

Unless you've lived under a rock, I'm sure you've heard of John Gray and his Mars Venus explanation of relationships. He says that there are five traits of a long-term couple in love and no one is too old to learn them or to change:

• Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
• Lead with the love in your heart.
• Do things together, but keep separate interests as well.
• Practice patience. Each of us moves at our own pace.
• Live the commitment of "for better or worse, in sickness and in health."

What makes love last? It comes from a constant respect, commitment and passion for one another.

I think we all know that already. It is the practicing of those principles that actually makes all the difference.







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