Broken Heart Syndrome — Is It Really a Thing?

“Broken Heart Syndrome” is a real and serious condition. This condition is caused by sudden stressful situations or an overflow of unpleasant emotions. 

The scientific name for this condition is “Stress Cardiomyopathy” or “Takotsubo Syndrome”.

It is a temporary ailment that is medically curable. This condition can be triggered by stress, emotional pressure, physical injury, or sudden mental strain.

Broken Heart Syndrome is entirely reversible. And it takes a few days to a week to recover from this condition. 

Our blog, hence, attempts to make you aware of the meaning, symptoms, factors, and cure to this disorder.

What is Broken Heart Syndrome?

Broken Heart Syndrome is a disorder caused by sudden and extreme stress and emotional intolerance. This condition can also be affected by a serious physical injury.

During immense tension, the heart tends to beat rapidly. This causes the reversive muscles of the heart to weaken, leading to the respective state of health.

Broken Heart Syndrome often gets confused with a heart attack as the symptoms are almost the same. This condition also causes a sharp stabbing pain in the chest, creating an illusion of a stroke.

What are the Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome?

As stated above, the symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome are similar to those of a heart attack.

Some of the common symptoms are:

  • Sudden and Severe Chest Pain, also known as Angina.
  • Regular Low Blood Pressure or Hypotension.
  • Fluid in the Lungs.
  • Irregular Heartbeat or Arrhythmias.
  • Weakening of the Left Ventricle of your Heart.
  • Dizziness. 
  • Excessive Sweating or Diaphoresis.

Some of these symptoms appear to be ordinary and regular, which tricks the sufferers into thinking that nothing is wrong with their cardiac health.

Notwithstanding the case, you should seek medical attention if the pain or other symptoms are concerned-worthy.

What are the Factors that Cause Broken Heart Syndrome? 

Although the exact reasons behind this syndrome are not yet coined, several doctors have pointed out a fact — when your body and mind receive sudden stress, they excrete stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These hormones are said to manipulate your cardiac health for a temporary period. 

There are a few emotional and physical triggers that cause Broken Heart Syndrome. And those are listed down respectfully:

Emotional Triggers:

  • Extreme Anger
  • Grief
  • Fear
  • Surprise or Shock

Physical Triggers: 

  • Seizure
  • Stroke
  • High Fever
  • Low Blood Sugar

What are the Treatments for Broken Heart Syndrome?

Broken Heart Syndrome can cure by itself. So unless there is a severe case, it is not supposed to be emergently treated. 

Takotsubo Syndrome can be medically recovered, and some of the medication includes: 

  • ACE Inhibitors that help lower blood pressure
  • Beta-Blockers that slow down the heart rate
  • Diuretics that decrease fluid buildup
  • Anti-Anxiety Meds that manage stress

To prevent this condition from developing — doctors might recommend relaxation exercises and cardiac rehabilitation as well. 

How is Broken Heart Syndrome Different from a Heart Attack?

As stated earlier — looking at the symptoms, we can say that both of these conditions are on parallel grounds.

But that is practically the case!

Stress Cardiomyopathy is a temporary disorder that just affects a part of our heart muscles; whereas a heart attack causes permanent damage to the heart and our coronary arteries. 

People who experience Broken Heart Syndrome do not have blockages and clots in the blood and have normal coronary arteries. They do not suffer from scar tissues or muscle damage.

Always remember that!

Conclusion:

Broken Heart Syndrome is a serious yet common condition that might not be needing immediate treatment. But if suffered for long, it does need proper medical attention. No matter how common it is, chest pain should not be ignored. 

Thus, get yourself monitored by a proper cardiologist.

If you need further information or medical help about your heart condition, contact me without any hesitation.

I ensure to incorporate heart-centered holistic techniques with traditional values and high standards of patient care.

Thus, schedule a consultation session today.

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