Can a phobia actually kill you?!

Can a phobia actually kill you?

I am a very severe arachnophobe, to the point that I cannot touch a photograph of a tarantula.

Now if I was in a situation where a spider crawled on to me or I was suddenly covered in tarantulas, for instance, is there a chance that I would die of fright, or shock? What would happen...would it be a heart attack or something? Bearing in mind that I am young and fit.

Thanks!

You can die of shock (a lack of oxygen in your body) in this sort of situation, and it can and probably would cause heart attack if the situation wasn't dealt with.
Shock can be caused by something as simple as you not breathing enough as your body is pumped full of adrenalin in a fight of flight reaction. The adrenalin will make your heart beat faster, needing more oxygen, when your not taking enough in.
I suggest you get help to solve your phobia so that you have no chance of this happening (it's extremely unlikely anyway) and also to solve your anxiety about the possibilities of it happening.
Curing phobias is difficult, but is worth it, it gives you a sense of freedom that is exhilarating.