A rare condition known as “broken heart syndrome” is usually brought on by an emotionally devastating or stressful event. But now, a new study from Europe reveals the condition can also be brought on by happy events and positive emotions.

The syndrome is also referred to as stress cardiomyopathy, but was originally named takotsubo syndrome (TTS) by the Japanese researcher who first described it in 1990. The researcher called it that because the heart’s bulging appearance in people with the condition resembled the shape of a “takotsubo,” or octopus pot. 

Previous studies on broken heart syndrome have focused exclusively on the negative stressors known to bring on the condition’s symptoms. But in conducting this new study, the researchers wondered whether joyful experiences may also trigger the condition in some people. 

To find out, they analyzed data collected from 1,750 people who were part of the International Takotsubo Registry, a database of men and women in the United States and eight countries in Europe who were diagnosed with the condition.

The researchers found that 485 participants in the study had definite emotional triggers preceding the onset of their symptoms. Of these, the vast majority of participants experienced a negative emotional event, such as the death of a loved one, an argument, or a financial problem.

But in 20 people, or about 4 percent of participants, a positive emotional event — a birthday party, becoming a grandmother or great grandmother, a son’s wedding, or an unexpected visit from a favorite relative —brought on their symptoms.

The study also found that happy hearts were slightly older (71), on average, than broken hearts (65).