Oh, gosh! This sounds like a lovesick expression. Or, it can be about something of great regret...In any case, it's pretty emotional. Garsh, I wouldn't want my heart to be in that position.


Here's an example of the usage of the term:
後悔の念で胸がかきむしられる思いだった。
My heart was torn [was wrung] with regret. / I felt my heart torn to pieces by remorse.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 22 mins (2010-08-30 13:26:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

By the way, the examples above are from the definition of the verb "かきむしる" (Source: Shogakukan Japanese to English Dictionary)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 43 mins (2010-08-30 13:47:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Here are some more examples:

http://help.com/post/320849-once-again-my-heart-is-broken-in...
Once again, my heart is broken into pieces.
Ouch! I don’t think I can bear much pain and hurt any longer. Fack love has a habit of hurting me and toring me into pieces. Well my friends, to tell you the truth - I gambled and lost. Yes. Gambled and lost. I don’t know but I am hurt as hell. I am so dammn hurt.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6224714/6/Wolf_Exterior_Puppy_He...
But, normally I wouldn't have cared if she was there or not. There's just something about her that's not like Alice. Every time she leaves, I feel as though my heart was just torn into pieces.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100716013015AA...
What do i do my heart is torn into a million pieces?
I was in a relationship with someone and well they were always there for me,made me smile when i was sad,helped and understood me so well better then anyone
https://www.thehopeline.com/forums/p/724/3005.aspx
One time was because she left her facebook logged on on my laptop and when i looked at it i saw her messaging two other guys while she wast texting me. It tore my heart into pieces and when i asked her about it she lied got mad then admitted to and said fine if you cant trust me im leaving you.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1535472/Heart-torn-in...
Heart torn into pieces
If there was anything left of my heart to break it broke in that moment. The pain is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and unlike anything I could have ever imagined.
I feel as though Carty and Brown have ripped out my heart with their bare hands and torn it very slowly into pieces.


- The website example above is OUCH!

- And, there was one site that said my heart was torn into a million pieces. Ohhhhhh!