Prison Guard With 'Broken Heart Syndrome' Recognized as Disabled Veteran

A veteran prison guard in Israel has been officially recognized as a disabled defense worker after suffering from "broken heart syndrome" following a prolonged period of psychological stress. The ruling came after a lengthy legal battle where the court determined a causal link between his service and his cardiac condition.

The case began when the guard, who was responsible for the prison's dining hall, was transferred to a different role after a workplace confrontation. Although the complaint against him was later dropped, he reported experiencing ongoing feelings of humiliation, damage to his professional standing, and sustained mental distress for months.

Witnesses noted a significant change in his behavior and mental state after the transfer. Several months later, after realizing his situation would not improve, he experienced chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations while driving home. He lost consciousness and was involved in a traffic accident. A defibrillator was implanted in his body at the hospital.

The central legal argument focused on the connection between psychological stress and the cardiac injury. A medical expert testified that current medical knowledge acknowledges that prolonged stress, not just sudden events, can lead to "broken heart syndrome" and life-threatening arrhythmias.

Ultimately, the parties reached an agreement, approved by the court, stipulating that one-third of his cardiac disability stemmed from his service. His total disability was permanently set at 100%. His lawyer stated that this precedent-setting decision could help other security personnel who suffer cardiac injuries due to ongoing service-related stress, not solely from acute incidents.