Description

Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that is often triggered by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition can also be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. Broken heart syndrome is usually temporary. But some people can continue to feel unwell after the heart is healed.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they are having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects only one part of the heart. Is interrupted briefly the manner in which the heart pumps blood. The rest of the heart continues to function as usual. Sometimes the heart contracts more forcefully.

The drugs are used to treat the symptoms of broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome may also be referred to as:

  • Stress cardiomyopathy.
  • Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
  • Recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
  • Apical ballooning syndrome.

Symptoms

The symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic those of a heart attack. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the chest.
  • Shortness of breath.

When to see a doctor

No chest pain can be due to a heart attack. Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have new or unexplained chest pain. Also call if you have a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or shortness of breath.

Causes

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is not clear. It is believed that an increase of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, can damage the heart of some people for a short time. How these hormones could cause harm to the heart, or if something else is the cause is not entirely clear.

A temporary contraction of the large or small arteries of the heart may play a role in the development of the syndrome of the broken heart. People who have broken heart syndrome may also be a change in the structure of the heart muscle.

An intense physical or emotional event that often comes before the broken heart syndrome. Anything that elicits a strong emotional reaction can trigger the disease. Examples include:

  • Sudden disease such as an asthma attack or COVID-19 .
  • Major surgery.
  • Sudden broken bone.
  • The death of a loved one or the loss of others.
  • Strong argument.

Rarely, the use of certain prescription or illegal drugs can lead to broken heart syndrome. They include:

  • Emergency medicines used to treat severe allergic reactions or severe asthma attacks.
  • Some medicines used to treat anxiety.
  • Medications used to treat nasal congestion.
  • Illegal drugs stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

Always tell your health care team about all the medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription. When starting a new medication, talk with your health care team about the possible risks and side effects.

What is broken heart syndrome is different from a heart attack?

Heart attack is usually caused by a complete or almost complete blockage of a heart artery. In broken heart syndrome, the heart arteries are not blocked. But the flow of blood in the arteries of the heart may be reduced.

Risk factors

Risk factors for the broken heart syndrome include:

  • Sex. Broken heart syndrome is more common in women than in men.
  • Age. Most of the people who have broken heart syndrome are older than 50 years.
  • Mental health conditions. People who have had or have anxiety or depression may have an increased risk of broken heart syndrome.

Complications

Most of the people who have broken heart syndrome recover quickly and usually do not have long-lasting effects. But sometimes, the condition becomes. This is called recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Rarely, broken heart syndrome can lead to death.

The complications of broken heart syndrome include:

  • Backup of fluid in the lungs, called pulmonary edema.
  • The low blood pressure.
  • Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
  • Heart failure.
  • Blood clots in the heart.

Prevention

To prevent another episode of broken heart syndrome, many health professionals recommend long-term treatment with beta-blockers or similar drugs. These drugs block the potentially harmful effects of stress hormones on the heart.

Chronic stress can increase the risk of broken heart syndrome. Take steps to handle the emotional stress can improve the health of the heart and can help prevent broken heart syndrome. Some ways to reduce and manage stress include:

  • To do more exercise.
  • The practice of mindfulness.
  • Connect with others in support groups.

Diagnosis

Broken heart syndrome is often diagnosed in an emergency or a hospital because the symptoms resemble those of a heart attack.

To diagnose the syndrome of the broken heart, a healthcare professional will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. You may be wondering if you have had any major stresses recently, such as the death of a loved one.

People who have broken heart syndrome usually have no heart, the symptoms of the disease before the condition is diagnosed.

The tests to diagnose a broken heart syndrome include:

  • Blood tests. People who have broken heart syndrome often have high levels of substances called cardiac enzymes in the blood.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).This quick test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. The wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which displays the results of the test. AnECGshows the speed or slowness with which the heart is beating.ECGresults for the broken heart syndrome are different from those of a heart attack.
  • The coronary angiography.This test checks to see if there are blockages in the arteries of the heart. Done to rule out a heart attack. People with broken heart syndrome often do not have locks. A doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist. Is guided into the heart. Contrast dye flows through the catheter into the arteries in the heart. The dye helps the arteries to show up more clearly on X-ray images and video. Once it is clear that you're not going to have a heart attack, your doctor will check to see if your symptoms are caused by the broken heart syndrome.
  • The echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to create images of the beating heart. Shows how blood flows through the heart and the heart valves. You can see if the heart is enlarged or has an unusual shape. These changes may be due to broken heart syndrome.
  • CardiacMRI. This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. The wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which displays the results of the test.

An EKG shows how fast or slow the heart is beating. ECG results to the broken heart syndrome are different from those of a heart attack.

The coronary angiography. This test checks to see if there are blockages in the arteries of the heart. Done to rule out a heart attack. People with broken heart syndrome often do not have locks. A doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist. Is guided into the heart. Contrast dye flows through the catheter into the arteries in the heart. The dye helps the arteries to show up more clearly on X-ray images and video.

Once it is clear that you're not going to have a heart attack, your doctor will check to see if your symptoms are caused by the broken heart syndrome.

Treatment

There is no standard treatment for broken heart syndrome. The treatment is similar to a heart attack care until the diagnosis is clear. Most of the people stay in the hospital while they improve.

Many people with broken heart syndrome is fully recovered within a month or so. An echocardiogram is done approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the first symptoms to make sure that the heart is working best. Sometimes, the broken heart syndrome happens again after treatment.

Drugs

Once it's clear that broken heart syndrome is the cause of the symptoms, medications may be given to reduce the strain on the heart. The drugs can also help to prevent new episodes of broken heart syndrome.

Medications may include:

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, also called ACE inhibitors.
  • Blockers of receptors of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, also called Bra.
  • Beta-blockers.
  • Water pills, also called diuretics.
  • Blood thinners, if there is a clot of blood.

Surgeries or other procedures

Surgeries and procedures that are often used for the treatment of a heart attack are not useful in the treatment of broken heart syndrome. Such treatments open blocked arteries. The blockage of the arteries do not cause the broken heart syndrome.

Preparing for your appointment

Broken heart syndrome is usually diagnosed in case of an emergency or a hospital.

If possible, ask a family member or friend to come with you to the hospital. Someone who goes with you can help you remember the information they give you.

If possible, share important information with the person taken to the hospital:

  • The symptoms you are experiencing, and for how long you have had them.
  • Your important personal information, including any major stresses, such as the death of a loved one, or recent life changes, such as loss of a job.
  • Your personal and family medical history, including health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.
  • A list of the medications you are taking, including those bought without a prescription.
  • Any recent injury to the chest that may have caused damage to the interior of the body, such as a broken rib or pinched nerve.

In the hospital, you may have many questions. If possible, you might ask:

  • What do you think is the cause of my symptoms?
  • I recently experienced the sudden death of a loved one. Could my symptoms be due to this event?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Do I have to stay in the hospital?
  • What treatments do I need right now?
  • What are the risks associated with these treatments?
  • Will this happen again?
  • Do I have any dietary or activity restrictions?

Do not hesitate to ask any additional questions.

What to expect from your doctor

A health professional who attends to the chest pain may ask:

  • What are the symptoms?
  • When did the symptoms begin?
  • The pain spread to other parts of your body?
  • The pain briefly get worse with each beat of the heart?
  • What words would you use to describe your pain?
  • Exercise or physical activity to worsen your symptoms?
  • Do you have a family history of heart problems?
  • Are being treated or have recently been treated for any other health conditions?
Symptoms and treatment of Broken heart syndrome