# why does our heart ache?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 29, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098 "2004-03-29T16:13:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![river](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@river](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/river)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098/1 "2004-03-29T16:13:48Z")

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i’m fairly certain this has been asked somewhere before, alas, i can’t seem to find it. so here’s the question, why is it when we feel ‘heart-broken’/sad our heart (not necessarily the heart maybe but somewhere around that center chest area) aches?

i’ve read the ones pertaining to the viscera but not the how we got ‘heart ache’ per se – anyway, thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![river](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@river](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/river)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098/2 "2004-03-30T07:42:53Z")

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> [@river](#):
>
> i’m fairly certain this has been asked somewhere before, alas, i can’t seem to find it. so here’s the question, why is it when we feel ‘heart-broken’/sad our heart (not necessarily the heart maybe but somewhere around that center chest area) aches?
> 
> i’ve read the ones pertaining to the viscera but not the how we got ‘heart ache’ per se – anyway, thanks in advance.

no answer?

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**Author:** ![Sami41](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Sami41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sami41)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2004, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098/3 "2004-03-30T09:14:59Z")

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I can’t tell you why. I wish someone can explain heart-ache.

My heart ‘aches’. Actual physical pain. Over a guy who doesn’t want me any more.

If some one can explain this to me, I’d appreciate it.

BTW, it’s been long enough that I don’t actually want him back, I just want to know why I suddenly wasn’t wanted by him. And when we first split up I did want him back, and wonder why exactly he didn’t feel the same. It still physically ‘hurts’ to know that he doesn’t want me. This is actual, physical pain, some where deep in my chest.

Can anyone explain why emotional pain can become physical paine. \

I hope I’m not hi-jacking this thread.

~S

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**Author:** ![river](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@river](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/river)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098/4 "2004-03-31T16:05:57Z")

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> [@Sami41](#):
>
> Can anyone explain why emotional pain can become physical paine. \

while i can’t talk about the heart, as i’ve said i’ve only ever read about the viscera. so if you want to know why elsewhere aches too here is a [link](http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/sadness.htm)

hope you feel better. don’t know the science of this but if any similar feelings should happen again do something you like, like watch a movie or something and do it by and for yourself.

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**Author:** ![nermal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@nermal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nermal)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-our-heart-ache/237098/5 "2004-03-31T16:45:42Z")

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Because you’ve been told that’s where it should hurt.