Broken Heart Syndrome
The sting of a broken heart isn’t just an emotional affair. Extremely stressful events can create very real and dangerous risks to a person’s physical health as well. Distressing events such as bankruptcy, the death of a loved one, or a terminal medical diagnosis can all lead to a serious condition known as broken heart syndrome.
Broken heart syndrome causes the body to release an unexpected surge of stress hormones. This overload temporarily paralyzes the left ventricle of the heart which is responsible for pumping blood through the body. As a result, the heart becomes “stuck” as it is unable to pump enough blood to continue beating properly. This may lead to shock, inadequate circulation, or even death.
During this shut down, the ventricle tends to balloon outwards. The new misshapen form resembles a “tako-tsubo,” a special Japanese pot used by fishermen to catch octopuses. Due to the similar shapes, broken heart syndrome is sometimes referred to as takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
For those experiencing takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome, it is often confused for a heart attack because the symptoms feel so similar. Some of the trademark symptoms for both broken heart syndrome and a heart attack include sudden pain in the chest area, breathlessness, and nausea.
Regardless of similar symptoms though, broken heart syndrome is distinct from a heart attack because it simply slows blood flow rather than causing a total blockage to the arteries. In the course of a heart attack, the ballooning effect described with the broken heart syndrome does not occur either.
So, what’s more dangerous: a heart attack or broken heart syndrome? For those who survive from a heart attack, it usually takes at least a month to fully recover. Heart attacks may also cause permanent damage to the heart and change the rhythm of the heart’s beating patterns. In contrast, broken heart syndrome only requires a number of days or weeks for the heart to return to normal. Additionally, most patients with broken heart syndrome have no long-term effects. In this sense, a heart attack is arguably much more problematic.
Yet, broken heart syndrome remains so frightening because of its less common, more severe cases. For example, in the midst of a traumatic event, a broken heart can cause seemingly healthy people to suddenly drop dead.
For the most part, the victims of broken heart syndrome happen to be older women — likely because of their lower levels of estrogens induced by post-menopausal changes. Still, broken heart syndrome can strike anyone regardless of age or gender, making it all the more disturbing.
To diagnose a patient with broken heart syndrome, doctors often use coronary angiography to examine a patient’s blood vessels. Coronary angiography works by injecting a visible dye into the blood vessels while an X-ray takes pictures. If there are no blockages of the blood vessels, the doctors can rule out a heart attack and, subsequently, diagnose a patient with broken heart syndrome assuming the symptoms and history of the patient match.
A diagnosis may also be reached through blood tests, cardiac MRIs, echocardiograms, and other means.
Next, once a patient is determined to have broken heart syndrome, the treatment plans can vary. The most standard treatments will require patients to stay in the hospital for 48+ hours to be treated with heart medications that reduce the stress on the heart and prevent any further complications.
Fortunately, since the broken heart syndrome repairs relatively quickly, the recovery process is generally not as hectic or prolonged as that of a heart attack. In any case, when recovering from any heart-related incident, you should still monitor your health and report any changes you experience immediately.
If you feel concerned about your risk of broken heart syndrome, you may be able to prevent it by focusing on stress relief techniques. Make sure to exercise regularly and have a sufficient amount of sleep each night. Finally, if you ever find yourself in a high-stress environment, always remember to breathe!
“Broken Heart Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 May 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354623.
Gebska, Milena A. “Ask an Expert: What Is Broken-Heart Syndrome?” University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, UIHC, Feb. 2016, uihc.org/health-topics/ask-expert-what-broken-heart-syndrome.
“Is Broken Heart Syndrome Real?” Heart.org, www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/is-broken-heart-syndrome-real.
Martin, Timothy. “Can You Really Die From a Broken Heart?” UnityPoint Health, UnityPoint Health, 29 Jan. 2021, www.unitypoint.org/dubuque/article.aspx?id=a7f06d29-de06-4343-bfef-ebb12fc667bd.
“Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.” St Vincent’s Hospital Heart Health, St Vincent’s Heart Health, www.svhhearthealth.com.au/conditions/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy.
