What Is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Severe stress can trigger temporary heart condition
Severe stress can trigger temporary heart condition
The holidays can be a stressful time for many people, whether that’s due to the usual hustle and bustle or the grief of missing a loved one, which can be amplified during this time of year.
Stress and grief can contribute to a number of heart problems that have been found to be more common during the holiday season, including a lesser known, but not uncommon, condition called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome.
Broken heart syndrome can happen to anyone, though it’s more common in women than men, says Poulina Uddin, MD, a cardiologist at Scripps Clinic Anderson Medical Pavilion in La Jolla. It shows up in response to a severe emotional trigger or stress and can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
Broken heart syndrome symptoms
When it’s happening, broken heart syndrome can feel — and look — a lot like a heart attack. During an episode, the bottom of the heart balloons and dilates, weakening the muscle.
“People will have severe chest pain. They’ll go to the ER, and their EKG and blood work will really look like they’re having a heart attack,” says Dr. Uddin. “But if you take them to the cardiac catheterization lab, their arteries are wide open.”
With treatment, heart function typically improves quickly — frequently within less than a month, though for some, it can take up to six months. Though broken heart syndrome is reversible, people who have had it are more prone to experience it again, says Dr. Uddin.
“The good news is that almost nine times out of 10, this can be resolved if treated with beta blockers or certain medications,” she adds. “The important thing is you actually have to recognize it.”
Reducing the risk
People who’ve experienced broken heart syndrome are encouraged to eat healthy, exercise and find coping mechanisms for their stress, whether that’s meditation, yoga or deep breathing. “It’s really the same sorts of things you’d recommend for anyone who has had a heart attack,” Dr. Uddin says — or for anyone feeling the pressure of the holiday season.
Broken heart syndrome triggers
Dr. Uddin is quick to emphasize that broken heart syndrome isn’t limited to the holidays. She’s seen it brought on by divorce, a bad car accident or bankruptcy. One patient even developed a case after a particularly negative experience at the DMV.
This means that broken heart syndrome is less about time of year — or even how traumatic the inciting event may seem — and more about the body’s response to added stress.
“Sometimes people like to pretend that your emotions don’t affect your physiology, but we know that they do,” Dr. Uddin says. “Broken heart syndrome is an example of how the stress and emotions that people go through do show up on our bodies.”
What else can it be?
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack but may also indicate panic attacks, anxiety or indigestion. If you experience new or concerning chest pain, always seek emergency medical attention to rule out serious conditions like a heart attack.
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.