A 75-year-old woman presented with acute onset of discomfort in the chest, left scapula, neck and arm after being informed of the unexpected death of her son, and 2 days after undergoing an uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Her medical history included Graves’ disease and a hysterectomy. She had no modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease. Examination revealed a heart rate of 90 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, with no evidence of acute pulmonary oedema. At presentation, an electrocardiogram demonstrated 1–2 mm ST elevation in leads V1–V6, I and aVL (Box 1).