A broken heart is a real condition. The medical name for it is takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It is caused by severe emotional or physical stress. This stress can come from losing a loved one or breaking up with a romantic partner. Doctors think they have a cure for it. Researchers at Aberdeen University in Scotland conducted a 12-week test on 76 people with broken heart syndrome. The patients had a weekly counselling session. They also took part in an exercise programme, which included aerobics, cycling and swimming. The British Heart Foundation said it was surprised by how much the counselling "improved heart function and patients' fitness".
「心碎」是一種真實存在的疾病，其醫學名稱是「Takotsubo 心肌病變」（takotsubo cardiomyopathy）。這種疾病由劇烈的情緒或身體壓力引發，例如失去至親或與戀人分手。如今醫生可能已找到了治療方法：蘇格蘭亞伯丁大學研究團隊針對76名心碎症候群患者進行為期12週的測試，患者每週接受諮商療程，並參與包含有氧運動、騎自行車和游泳的訓練計劃。英國心臟基金會表示，諮商療程對「改善心臟功能與患者體能」的成效令人驚艷。
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide suffer from broken heart syndrome. It mainly affects women and can double the risk of dying early. The syndrome may explain why a spouse dies soon after their partner's death. Sufferers feel like they are having a heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The syndrome makes the heart change shape. The heart becomes rounder, like an octopus. "Takotsubo" is a Japanese word. It means a round pot used to catch an octopus. Lead researcher Dr David Gamble said his research highlights the importance of the brain-heart relationship. He said mental and physical therapy can help sufferers.
全球有數十萬人深受心碎症候群所苦，患者多為女性，且早期死亡風險會倍增。這種症候群或許能解釋為何配偶常在伴侶離世後隨即逝世。患者發作時感覺類似心臟病，症狀包含胸痛、呼吸急促及極度疲勞。此疾病會導致心臟變形——心臟會變得更加圓潤，形似章魚。「Takotsubo」為日文詞彙，原指捕捉章魚用的圓形陶壺。首席研究員大衛·甘博博士強調，這項研究揭示了「大腦與心臟的密切關聯」，並證實結合心理與生理的治療能有效幫助患者康復。
Vocabulary 單字
•Cardiomyopathy (Noun) - Heart muscle disease.
•Takotsubo (Noun) - Japanese octopus trap.
•Syndrome (Noun) - Group of symptoms.
•Counselling (Noun) - Professional guidance.
•Aerobics (Noun) - Cardio exercises.
•Fatigue (Noun) - Extreme tiredness.
•Spouse (Noun) - Husband or wife.
•Highlights (Verb) - Emphasizes.
•Therapy (Noun) - Treatment.
•Octopus (Noun) - A sea animal with eight arms.
