The feeling of your heart just sinking down, heartbreak. A new study shows it may not just be a feeling, but a physical symptom. Social rejection may cause your heart rate to drop, scientists in the Netherlands say.

A group of volunteers, 18 women and 9 men, took part in experiments where they would send a photo of themselves to the scientists. The subjects were told it was study on first impressions and students at another university would be asked whether or not they liked the participants’ photos. Later the participants were hooked up to an electrocardiogram and were shown pictures of students from another university.

Each participant was asked whether they thought the person in the photo liked their photo. The participant was then told whether or not they were right, but in actuality their photos were never shown to other students and each response was computer generated.

Researchers found heart rate fell in anticipation of a person’s opinion. If the participant was told their photo was not liked, their disappointed triggered a slow heart rate which took much longer than usual to return to normal.

Old research has shown brain processes social and physical pains in the same part of the brain. Researchers wanted to find out if an emotional pain can cause a physical one. The answer was yes and heartbreak is one of those emotional states which can lead to physical reactions.