Broken heart syndrome is a short-term cardiac ailment caused by stressful conditions and intense emotions. A significant physical ailment or surgery might potentially set off the syndrome.
People suffering from shattered heart syndrome may experience severe chest discomfort or believe they are experiencing a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects only a portion of the heart, causing the heart's normal pumping function to be momentarily disrupted. The remainder of the heart continues to function normally or may even contract more aggressively.
Broken heart syndrome symptoms are curable. Broken heart syndrome normally heals in a few days or weeks.
Broken heart syndrome is also known as:
- Stress cardiomyopathy
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
- Apical ballooning syndrome
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BROKEN HEART SYNDROME?
Signs and symptoms of broken heart syndrome might be similar to those of a heart attack and may include:
- Chest ache
- Breathing difficulty
Any prolonged or chronic chest discomfort might be an indication of a heart attack, so take it seriously and call 911 or emergency services if you have chest pain.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BROKEN HEART SYNDROME?
The precise etiology of shattered heart syndrome is unknown. Some people's hearts may be temporarily damaged by a rush of stress chemicals such as adrenaline. It's unclear how these hormones could harm the heart or whether anything else is at blame.
A brief squeezing (constriction) of the heart's big or small arteries may play a role. People suffering from broken heart syndrome may also see changes in the structure of their heart muscle.
Broken heart syndrome is frequently preceded by a traumatic physical or emotional incident. Acute sickness (such as an asthma attack or COVID-19 infection), extensive surgery, or a broken bone, for example, can all result in shattered heart syndrome. This disease can be triggered by anything that elicits a powerful emotional response, such as a funeral or other loss, or a heated dispute.
Certain medicines, in rare cases, can cause broken heart syndrome, including:
- Medication used in an emergency to treat severe allergic responses or asthma episodes.
- Certain anti-anxiety drugs
- Nasal decongestants
- Illegal stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine
Always inform your doctor about any drugs you are taking, even those obtained without a prescription. When beginning a new medicine, discuss the potential risks and side effects with your practitioner.
What distinguishes broken heart syndrome from a heart attack?
A heart attack is usually caused by a complete or almost total blockage of a heart artery. The heart arteries are not obstructed in broken heart syndrome, however blood flow in the heart arteries may be diminished.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR BROKEN HEART SYNDROME?
The following are known risk factors for broken heart syndrome:
Sex: Women are more likely than males to suffer from broken heart syndrome.
Age: The majority of persons with broken heart syndrome appear to be above the age of 50.
A past or present mental health condition: People who suffer from anxiety or depression are at a higher risk of developing broken heart syndrome.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF BROKEN HEART SYNDROME?
Broken heart syndrome can be fatal in rare cases. However, most persons who suffer from broken heart syndrome heal quickly and have no long-term consequences.
Other potential consequences of broken heart syndrome include:
- Fluid backup in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Heart failure
- Blood clots growing within the heart as a result of weakening cardiac muscle
After another traumatic occurrence, broken heart syndrome may reoccur. However, the chances of this occurring are slim.
HOW IS BROKEN HEART SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?
The health care practitioner will generally do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to diagnose broken heart syndrome. He or she may also inquire as to whether you have had any severe pressures recently, such as the death of a loved one.
People who have broken heart syndrome frequently do not have any signs of heart illness before being identified.
If your doctor suspects you have broken heart syndrome, the following tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This brief examination monitors the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) are applied to the chest, as well as the arms and legs on occasion. The electrodes are linked by wires to a computer, which displays the test findings. An ECG can reveal if the heart is beating too quickly, too slowly, or not at all. The ECG readings for fractured heart syndrome differ from those of a heart attack.
- Echocardiogram: This noninvasive examination creates pictures of the heart's size, structure, and motion using sound waves. It can reveal whether the heart is enlarged or has an odd shape, which could indicate broken heart syndrome.
- Coronary angiogram: This test use X-ray imaging to examine the blood arteries of the heart. A dye is injected into the blood arteries of the heart during a coronary angiography. Following that, multiple X-ray pictures (angiograms) are obtained. The dye enhances the visibility of blood vessels on X-rays.
To rule out a heart attack, a coronary angiography is performed. Persons with shattered heart syndrome frequently do not have any blood vessel blockages, but people who have had a heart attack generally have a blockage visible on an angiography. Once it is determined that you are not suffering a heart attack, your doctor will investigate whether your signs and symptoms are the result of broken heart syndrome.
- Blood tests: People with broken heart syndrome frequently have increased amounts of cardiac enzymes in their blood.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI): This imaging technique creates detailed pictures of the heart's architecture using a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR BROKEN HEART SYNDROME?
Broken heart syndrome has no conventional therapy. Until the diagnosis is apparent, therapy is identical to that of a heart attack. Most patients are admitted to the hospital to recuperate.
Many persons with broken heart syndrome recover completely within a month. You'll probably need another echocardiogram 4 to 6 weeks after you initially noticed symptoms to ensure your heart has healed.
Medications
Once it is determined that broken heart syndrome is the origin of the symptoms, medicines to decrease the pressure on the heart and prevent additional episodes may be provided. Medications may include the following:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta blockers
- Diuretics
- If there is a blood clot, blood thinners are used.
Surgeries or other procedures
Surgeries and treatments often used to treat a heart attack, such as balloon angioplasty and stent implantation, as well as open-heart surgery, are ineffective in treating broken heart syndrome. These treatments are used to address obstructed arteries, which are not the cause of broken heart syndrome.
HOW CAN BROKEN HEART SYNDROME BE PREVENTED?
Many health care professionals advocate long-term therapy with beta blockers or comparable drugs that block the potentially detrimental effects of stress hormones on the heart to prevent another episode of broken heart syndrome.
Chronic stress may raise the risk of broken heart syndrome in some persons. Taking actions to manage emotional stress can enhance heart health and may aid in the prevention of broken heart syndrome.