So someone's passing can be enough to cause your own death?

[Anonymous]

My family and I are grieving two deaths now. My 92 year-old great-grandmother just passed away only 3 days after receiving the news of my grandfather's (age 64) passing of cancer. He was the youngest of 4 children and the only male; my great-grandparents' only son.

She was a healthy woman, had no pre-existing conditions at all and could've lived a bit longer. We were told she entered a state of total shock and it was too much for her to handle. Is is a rare type of death, you dying shortly after someone else's passing?

Updates

11 mo

Even though she was elderly, her death was still suddenly and unexpected. As soon as grandpa died, she dies in just 3 days.

[abc3643]

Yes, this happens. Informally, it is called "brokenheart syndrome", but there is a medical term for it:

From the Mayo Clinic:
www.mayoclinic.org/.../syc-20354617

Broken heart syndrome

>>> Overview

Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition also can be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. Broken heart syndrome is often a temporary condition. But some people may continue to feel unwell after the heart is healed.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they're having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects just part of the heart. It briefly interrupts the way the heart pumps blood. The rest of the heart continues to work as usual. Sometimes the heart contracts more forcefully.

Medicines are used to treat symptoms of broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome also may be called:
* Stress cardiomyopathy.
* Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
* Recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
* Apical ballooning syndrome

>>> Symptoms

Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack. Symptoms may include:

* Chest pain.
* Shortness of breath.

==============

A famous case that is not broken heart syndrome, per se, but similar is probably actress Debbie Reynold's.

Debbie Reynold's daughter was Carrie Fisher, famous for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.
Carrie Fisher has a medical emergency on a flight just before Christmas 2016. She died on 27 DEC 2016. Debbie Reynolds died the next day of a cerebral hemorrhage from all the stress and despair over what happened to Carrie.

[Asker]

Interesting and thank you for sharing this.

[comekitty]

My sincerest condolences for your loss.

[Asker]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[tfan1]

I’m so sorry for your losses 😞🙏

[Asker]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Probably not.