Mental health, emotional wellness, and cardiovascular health are profoundly interconnected. In some cases, extreme emotional or physical stress can have a direct effect on the heart. This is known as broken heart syndrome, stress cardiomyopathy, or takotsubo syndrome.
Broken heart syndrome is a serious condition that can kill you. It looks and feels a lot like a heart attack. In this condition, the left ventricle, which is the heart's lower chamber, weakens and gets bigger for a short time, which makes it less effective at pumping blood. This condition has been known for a long time, but recent studies have shown that it is becoming more common, especially in women over 50.
The condition is usually caused by a sudden release of stress hormones, especially epinephrine, during events that are emotionally or physically stressful. Some common triggers are losing a loved one, going through an emotional separation, breaking up with someone, getting seriously ill, having an accident, or even getting a good shock out of the blue. This sudden change in hormones can temporarily stun the heart muscle, making it harder for it to work properly.
For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH
People with broken heart syndrome often have sudden chest pain and trouble breathing, which are very similar to the signs of a heart attack. It is important to note that these symptoms can happen in people who have never had heart disease or any of the usual risk factors for heart disease. In rare cases, the condition may lead to serious problems like arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or dangerously low blood pressure, which can be deadly if not treated right away.
For a diagnosis of broken heart syndrome, the doctor may conduct a clinical assessment and procedures. The blood tests for troponin and NT-proBNP, 2D echocardiogram, and coronary angiography that reveal normal or unobstructed arteries can be used to distinguish it from a heart attack.
Broken heart syndrome can lead to sudden heart failure, but it usually goes away on its own. Most patients are completely better within days to weeks, but doctors often recommend follow-up visits and repeat echocardiograms to keep an eye on their recovery and make sure their hearts are as healthy as possible.
The author, Dr M Sudhakar Rao, is Consultant – Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.