A woman claims her ‘cheating’ ex-boyfriend literally broke her heart – after she was hospitalized with broken heart syndrome when she found out he had another girlfriend.
Leslie Ann Smith, of Leavenworth, Kansas, suspected her boyfriend of cheating for several months before they broke up, and claims to have found other women’s underwear in his home.
The 31-year-old was already struggling with the loss of her uncle the previous month, who was a father figure to her, when she found out she was seeing another woman.
The aspiring model was so upset by the double whammy that her pulse and heart rate rose so dramatically she feared she might die.
After taking herself to the hospital, bewildered paramedics struggled to figure out what the problem was.
Leslie Ann Smith, of Leavenworth, Kansas, claims ‘cheating’ ex-boyfriend literally broke her heart – she was hospitalized with broken heart syndrome after discovering he had another girlfriend
But after spending a week in the hospital, she said doctors said it was more likely broken heart syndrome — also known as cardiomyopathy or takotsubo syndrome.
The rare condition occurs when a person experiences sudden, severe stress that can quickly weaken the heart muscle, potentially life-threatening.
The rental property consultant has since been fitted with a heart monitor and describes how she is now afraid of love again.
Leslie Ann said: “My uncle passed away and raised me to a great extent and then cheated on me at the same time.
I met my ex on a dating app and saw him on christian dating sites. I thought we would have the same morals and values.
In the beginning when we started dating (in May 2021) I overheard a conversation when he picked up the phone and said “Hi baby”.
‘I confronted him about it and asked him who he was talking about and he said it was what he called his sister.
She suspected her boyfriend of cheating for several months before they broke up last September, claiming he even found another woman’s underwear in his home.
After transporting herself to the hospital, bewildered medics struggled to figure out what was wrong
After spending a week in the hospital, she said doctors said it was more likely broken heart syndrome — also known as cardiomyopathy or takotsubo syndrome.
By the end of June, he said I love you. I thought it was a little close, but I went with it.
My ex will leave other girls’ stuff lying around the house.
Towards the end when I reached my breaking point, they left the underwear at his apartment. The least he could do is clean up.
I confronted him about it, but he came up with some excuses. He said he might have mixed things he brought in from work. It was ridiculous. Or it was his former underwear and he kept it.
Then, he directed me to more lingerie and jewelry that belonged to other women. He had absolutely no regrets.
In September I found out he had a girlfriend.
The rental property consultant has since been fitted with a heart monitor and describes how she is now afraid of love again
So distressed that she feared for her life, Leslie Ann took herself to the hospital where doctors and nurses quickly found something wrong with her heart.
Since then, the part-time model is now fitted with a heart monitor and is on medication for high blood pressure, and has regular check-ups with a cardiologist.
The 31-year-old was already struggling with the loss of her uncle (left) who was a father figure to her
Feeling so distressed that she feared for her life, Leslie Ann took herself to the hospital where the doctors and nurses quickly found something wrong with her heart.
Leslie Ann said: ‘When we broke up, it was hard.
Broken heart syndrome resulted from the breakup and my uncle’s death. Before my uncle died, I had not seen him.
He helped my mother pay my money to go to school, always reassured me, I even lived with him for a year.
You left me devastated. It was difficult to deal with the accumulation of these things.
With broken heart syndrome, it’s something mental that affects your heart. It puts a lot of pressure on your heart.
When I went to the hospital, they weren’t really able to tell what hit me. They did an MRI and other things.
My blood pressure will go up and my heart rate will go up. I could not sleep. My body was weak.
The hospital was checking my heartbeat before I slept or ate or anything. I was so afraid that I would die.
“Eventually one of the doctors said it was most likely broken heart syndrome given what I’ve been through.”
Since then, the part-time model is now fitted with a heart monitor and is on medication for high blood pressure, and has regular check-ups with a cardiologist.
Leslie Ann is glad the doctors were able to find what was wrong, but is still worried about opening her heart to love again in the future.
“After my diagnosis, I at least thought it was an explanation for something,” she said. I was feeling horrible physically.
There are people who want to be in relationships with me but I am afraid to be in a relationship with anyone.
I kept people’s memories. I kept everything and couldn’t manage it properly.
“I would tell anyone else who feels the same to take care of yourself, rather than give from an empty cup.”
