Thank you for the post Sue.
I had no idea that the heart actually changes shape during periods of intense sorrow.
A broken heart (or heartbreak) is a common metaphor used to describe the intense psychological pain one feels after losing a loved one, through death, divorce, or other means as in breaking up with someone or having your partner move away.[citation needed].
Heartbreak is usually associated with losing a spouse or lover, though losing a parent, child, or close friend can also "break one's heart"[citation needed]. According to The Lancet, it was found that the risk of death increases by up to a fifth in people who had their hearts broken[1].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_heart