Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. physical       B. confused     C. pumping     D. emotionally     E. involve   F. recognizing G. characterized       H. reference       I. initial       J. generously     K. malfunctioned

Heartbreak: Romantic Metaphor(比喻) or Serious Health Condition

It is an unfortunate fact of life that most of us will experience the sensation commonly known as “heartbreak” at some point in our lifetime. Heartbreak refers to feelings of extreme sadness, often persistent, due to a(n) 【小题1】 disturbing event. The term “heartbreak” or “broken heart” is usually used in a symbolic sense.

That is, when we say someone is “heartbroken,” we do not mean that their heart has actually 【小题2】. However, what many people do not know is that so-called broken heart syndrome(综合症), often caused by stress, is a recognized 【小题3】 health condition.

Much like when people make metaphorical 【小题4】 to heartbreak, broken heart syndrome is also caused by painful life events. These experiences usually 【小题5】 death, divorce, or separation. However, this condition can have very real negative effects on a sufferer’s health. In clinical settings, broken heart syndrome is often 【小题6】 with a heart attack because many of the symptoms of these two conditions are very similar. The main difference is   that while a heart attack is 【小题7】 by a blockage in one of the heart’s arteries(动脉), broken heart syndrome involves temporary enlargement in one area of the heart. Such enlargement makes it difficult for the heart to continue 【小题8】 blood around the body and thus puts the sufferer at risk of heart failure.

If you have experienced a stressful or painful event, two 【小题9】 symptoms of broken heart syndrome to watch out for are chest pain and breathing difficulties. In fact, 【小题10】 one or both of these symptoms can be vital in helping you seek necessary treatment in the early stages of this condition.