Broken heart syndrome, also called stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a real condition. Although its symptoms mimic a heart attack, it’s caused by a sudden physical or emotional stress. Treatments include heart medications, anti-anxiety drugs, stress management and cardiac rehabilitation. Fortunately, it’s a temporary and reversible heart condition in most people.
Broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, can strike even if you’re healthy. (Tako tsubo, by the way, are octopus traps that resemble the pot-like shape of the stricken heart.)
Women are more likely than men to experience the sudden, intense chest pain — the reaction to a surge of stress hormones — that can be caused by an emotionally stressful event. It could be the death of a loved one or even a divorce, breakup or physical separation, betrayal or romantic rejection. It could even happen after a good shock (like winning the lottery.)
Broken heart syndrome may be misdiagnosed as a heart attack because the symptoms and test results are similar. In fact, tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances that are typical of a heart attack. But unlike a heart attack, there’s no evidence of blocked heart arteries in broken heart syndrome.
In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart temporarily enlarges and doesn’t pump well, while the rest of your heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions. Researchers are just starting to learn the causes, and how to diagnose and treat it.
Triggers of broken heart syndrome can include a romantic breakup, recent death of a loved one, medical illness or any serious stressful event.
Researchers are still learning about the specific causes of broken heart syndrome. It is believed that sudden emotional stress causes a surge of hormones that, in essence, “stuns” the heart muscle. The left ventricle bulges and causes the heart to stop pumping blood normally. (That bulging left ventricle resembles the shape of the takotsubo pot mentioned earlier). The resulting symptoms may feel a lot like a heart attack but is a temporary form of heart failure.
There currently is no way to prevent stress-induced cardiomyopathy, other than learning basic stress management skills. Women are more likely than men to experience this condition, especially those over the age of 65.
Stress-induced cardiomyopathy can be fatal, but that is rare, especially if the person gets hospitalized and treated quickly. The heart muscle returns to normal.
It’s important to take quick action if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms that could be similar to those of a heart attack. Doctors won’t be able to diagnose your condition until you undergo testing that might include an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiography, chest X-ray, blood test or one of several other imaging procedures. Most people need to have a cardiac catheterization to determine the cause and plan of care.
Get to the hospital immediately, and let the professionals diagnose your condition. If you truly are experiencing broken heart syndrome, you will likely experience a relatively quick recovery with a low chance for reoccurrence during your lifetime.
