Steve that is the feeling of a broken heart, the rib cage can't contain the sweeping of emotional or physical heart break. One thing I would be wary about and am negligent myself, is we are in our 50's and keep an eye or attune to our body that it is grief, or warning of heart issue.

I keep putting off getting stress testing, but I think these emotional happenings in our life can be like shoveling snow he stress it puts on our hearts.
Crying relieves and tires me out, tea, and a cat on my lap during the saddest of times.
Take care of your self, if you get jaw or arm pain, have it addressed.

The night I lost De I signed myself out AMA although they felt I had a mild heart attack.
That feeling is a powerful bottled upped explosive strain to our body. You describe it as I never could.

Remember your friend as the big man of gentle heart serving so many. He created a legacy, picture his smile, his form and discipline when shot putting, that is the person he is I your heart.