I have heard it explained like this also. But it can't literally "explode". The vessels can burst and even rip. I was watching a show recently when Hank Williams' young death was quoted as being caused because his heart "exploded". He had sudden cardiac arrest. His heart didn't explode, though.
No. The heart cannot explode. There is no way, shape or form for this to happen.
This term is sometimes used when describing a cardiac rupture in which the necrotic or dead heart muscle from a previous MI will rupture causing an almost instant death.
Jon
I was in the hospital after a tripple bypass I contracted staff and was in ICU after debreeding and I heard the nurse scream "Oh my god". I felt war liquid in my face. she jumped o top of me and stuck her thumb in to the hole in my heart. I was rolled back into surgery and my heart was stiched up. What is that called.
That's a myocardial rupture, see the link;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myocardial_rupture
No, although I am a 10 year old, I have intensive learning in chemistry and memorizing to Periodic Table. The heart cannot explode; it is scientifically impossible. (unless you put an explosive in there) which will not happen easily.