The Science Of Scary: 10 Reasons Why You Love Being Scared

7. Can You Be Scared To Death?

In a word: Yes.

Because fear basically elicits your fight, flight or freeze response, you get a huge dump of adrenaline in your system. This slows digestion, dilates the pupils, increases blood flow to the muscles, quickens breathing and it is what causes your heart to go like the clappers.

Unfortunately, if the old ticker isn't in top shape then this stress can actually cause damage to the heart and even cardiac arrest.

It is the same stress that can cause both athletes and sports fans to keel over. A German study found that during to 2006 World Cup, incidence of heart attacks doubled in women and tripled in men when their team was playing, particularly when the match would decide whether or not they would go through to the next stage. This was due to the dangerous levels of stress their hearts were being put under as a result of an adrenaline rush.

Obviously, being fit and healthy can reduce the risk, but, yes, it is possible to be scared (or excited) to death.