Broken heart syndrome

Overview

Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that can occur due to intense emotions or stressful situations. It can also be triggered by severe physical illness or surgery. Typically, broken heart syndrome is temporary, but some individuals may experience lingering symptoms even after their heart has healed.

When someone has broken heart syndrome, they may experience sudden chest pain and mistakenly believe they are having a heart attack. The condition specifically affects a specific area of the heart and momentarily disrupts its blood-pumping function. However, the rest of the heart continues to operate normally. In some cases, the heart may contract with increased force during this time.

There are four types of broken heart syndrome:

• Apical: This is the most common type, primarily affecting the lower half of the heart.
• Mid-ventricular: This type targets the middle section of the ventricles, forming a belt or ring-like pattern around the heart. The areas above and below the affected region continue to function normally.
• Basal: Similar to mid-ventricular, the affected area appears as a ring or belt, but it is located higher up. Only the area below the belt functions normally.
• Focal: It involves a smaller area compared to the other types. The affected region forms a noticeable bulge that protrudes from the rest of the heart, while the opposite side curves inward toward the bulge.

Medications are prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of broken heart syndrome.

Symptoms

Broken heart syndrome can manifest with symptoms that resemble a heart attack. These symptoms may occur within minutes to hours after experiencing a stressful event. The surge of stress hormones temporarily affects the heart muscle, leading to the following signs and symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias.
• Low blood pressure or hypotension.
• Heart palpitations.
• Fainting or syncope.

Persistent chest pain can potentially indicate a heart attack. If you experience new or unexplained chest pain, it is important to contact emergency services. Additionally, if you have a noticeably fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you are having difficulty breathing, it is advisable to seek immediate medical assistance.

Causes

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is not fully understood by researchers. However, it is believed that a stressful event, such as a divorce, car accident, or job loss, may contribute to its occurrence. When you experience physical or emotional stress, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine into your bloodstream. These hormones are thought to temporarily interfere with the functioning of your heart. Interestingly, a small percentage of individuals with broken heart syndrome cannot pinpoint any specific stresses that may have triggered their episode.

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is not fully understood by researchers. However, it is believed that a stressful event, such as a divorce, car accident, or job loss, may contribute to its occurrence. When you experience physical or emotional stress, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline, epinephrine, and norepinephrine into your bloodstream. These hormones are thought to temporarily interfere with the functioning of your heart. Interestingly, a small percentage of individuals with broken heart syndrome cannot pinpoint any specific stresses that may have triggered their episode.

Broken heart syndrome can occasionally be triggered by the use of specific drugs, which encompass:

• Emergency medications administered during the treatment of severe allergic reactions or intense asthma attacks.
• Certain anxiety medications employed in the management of anxiety disorders.
• Nasal decongestants utilized for relieving nasal congestion.
• Illegal stimulant drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.

Risk factors

Several risk factors can contribute to getting a broken heart syndrome, such as:

• Sex: Women are more likely than men to suffer from broken heart syndrome, which make up 88% of the cases.
• Age: People over the age of 50 are more prone to a broken heart syndrome.
• Mental health issues: Individuals with a history of anxiety or depression may be more prone to developing broken heart syndrome.
• Neurologic disorder: People who had seizures or a stroke has a higher chance of having broken heart syndrome.