Broken Heart Syndrome

 

 

Broken Heart Syndrome

What is Broken Heart Syndrome? 

Broken heart syndrome is a temporary and reversible heart condition whose symptoms mimic those of a heart attack. Unlike a heart attack, broken heart syndrome happens when a sudden physical or emotional stress causes a rapid weakening of your heart muscle. 

 You may think you’re having a heart attack because symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, are similar in both conditions. However, in broken heart syndrome, you (for the most part) don’t have blocked coronary arteries or permanent heart damage, and usually make a fast and full recovery. 

Broken heart syndrome is also called stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo is the Japanese name for an octopus trapping pot with a wide bottom and narrow neck. The pot resembles the shape of the distressed left ventricle of the heart seen in broken heart syndrome. 

What kinds of emotional & phycical stress can cause Broken Heart Syndrome? 

Examples of sudden emotional stressors that can bring on broken heart syndrome include: 

•  Grief from the death of a loved one and other large or meaningful loss (eg, divorce/relationship, job, home, money, beloved pet). 
• Good news (e.g., surprise parties, winning the lottery). 
• Bad news. 
• Intense fear (e.g., public speaking, armed robbery, car accident). 
• Extreme anger. 

Examples of sudden physical stressors that can bring on broken heart syndrome include: 

• Severe pain. 
• An exhausting physical event. 
• Health issues, including asthma attack, difficulty breathing (dypnea), seizure, stroke, high fever, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), large blood loss, surgery.

Can I Die from  Broken Heart Syndrome? 

 Can I die from broken heart syndrome? Although death has happened, it’s an extremely rare event (about 1%) and therefore highly unlikely that you will die from broken heart syndrome. In most cases, broken heart syndrome is a short, temporary condition with a full recovery. 

Who is gets broken heart syndrome?

  Broken heart syndrome mostly affects women (about 88%), especially in later middle age (after menopause; mean age range 58 to 77). One possible explanation is that the female hormone estrogen protects the heart against any harmful effects of hormones released in response to stress. As the level of estrogen declines with age, women might be more susceptible to the effects of sudden stress. 

How common is Broken Heart Syndrome? 

 The medical literature reports that broken heart syndrome occurs in about 2% of patients who were seen with a suspected heart attack. However, this figure is thought to be an underestimate of the true number of cases because the condition is often not recognized. 

 Sumber: Cleaveland Clinic