Woman Hospitalized after death of her dog left her fighting for her life

A devastated woman suffered a broken heart following the death of her dog, top medics have revealed.

Joanie Simpson was distraught after seeing her Yorkshire Terrier - who she said was like a daughter - deteriorate before she died.

Mrs Simpson, 62, is lucky to be alive after her dog's demise prompted heart attack-like symptoms commonly described as 'broken heart syndrome'.

The pet, named Meha, was due to be put down last year, but when the day arrived she seemed better and Mrs Simpson cancelled the appointment.

Sadly Meha died painfully the following day.

According to report

, doctors initially thought she had suffered a cardiac arrest, but tests revealed this was not the case.

She had been rushed to hospital in a helicopter, but medics were baffled when her arteries turned out to be clear of blockages.

Instead it was ascertained that she had been struck down by a condition named Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which usually follows a stressful event. It happens when stress hormones 'stun' the heart of an otherwise healthy person.

Reliving her near-death experience, Mrs Simpson told the Washington post: "It was such a horrendous thing to have to witness.

"When you're already kind of upset about other things, it's like a brick on a scale. I mean, everything just weighs on you."

The journal said the patient was affected by multiple stresses, including Meha's death.

It said the condition "typically occurs in postmenopausal women and may be preceded by a stressful or emotional event".

Mrs Simpson said the ordeal had not put her off pet ownership, and she plans to own another dog in the future.