You should be wary about using the expression ‘frightened to death’ in the future, since you may wind up meeting such a destiny. Nightmares are not commonplace, and while they may appear to be more of a childhood phenomenon, around 20% of adults report having regular terrible nightmares. A werewolf following you through the forest or your mother-in-law permanently moving in with you are just two examples of the many forms nightmares can take.

Almost everyone has had a nightmare in which they die (not exactly the Friends episode you were anticipating). Some experts believe that this is because you are going through a period of conscious change. As a part of your life comes to an end, your subconscious portrays it as death so you can let it go and grow from it, according to certified dream analyst Lauri Loewenberg. However, unlike the film Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio, if you die in a dream, you typically do not die in real life.

Cortisol and adrenaline will surge through your body as if you were experiencing a life-threatening situation. Professor Tiina Paunio, a sleep expert at the University of Helsinki, told Mail Online that the health dangers of nightmares are usually indirect and connected to the underlying causes. However, more vulnerable persons may face more significant repercussions. Professor Paunio continued: “In vulnerable individuals, such as those with heart disease, nightmares can indirectly contribute to death, although this is rare.” So, in principle, dying in a dream may lead to your death in reality.

The American Heart Association also states that while being terrified to death is feasible, it is ‘extraordinarily rare to happen’. Dr. Mark Estes, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, had similar comments to Professor Paunio, saying, “Swings of emotion and roller coasters are OK for people who are young and have a healthy heart.” However, for individuals with pre-existing risk factors or cardiovascular disease, it’s important to limit situations where they may experience unexpected agitation.