Cardiology

Broken Heart Syndrome

Broken Heart Syndrome is a heart condition caused by stressful situations or a sudden change in emotion.

Broken Heart Syndrome is a heart condition caused by stressful situations or a sudden change in emotion, such as severe depression.

It is also triggered by serious physical illness or the loss of a loved one.

Fortunately, the symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome are treatable, if detected early, and are reversible within days or weeks.

Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome

The signs are similar to those of a heart attack, we group the most common:

Sudden chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Pain in the arms that spreads to the neck, jaw, or back

If the chest pain is persistent, or you have fainted, immediately call the Emergency Room for immediate attention.

Common causes of Broken Heart Syndrome

The exact cause is not known, it is thought that possibly the sudden increase in stress hormones, such as adrenaline, could damage the heart of some people.

It is also associated with temporary constriction of some of the heart's arteries, but is often preceded by:

An intense emotion, such as a serious illness (such as an asthma attack or post-COVID-19)
Sternum fracture
Severe emotional response to the death or loss of a loved one

And on rare occasions it can also be due to:

Some medications used to treat anxiety
Certain nasal decongestants
Illicit drug use

That is why it is very important to never self-medicate and better talk to your doctor about the possible risks and side effects.

Risk factor's

The known factors of Broken Heart Syndrome are:

Sex: It is more common in women than in men
Age: It is more common in people over 50 years of age.
Health: If you have a history of a psychological disorder such as anxiety or depression, the risk may be higher

Broken Heart Syndrome Complications

It is a condition that, if detected in time, does not generate pertinent effects, but if it is not detected in time, it can present serious complications such as:

Pulmonary Edema
Hypotension
Arrhythmias
Heart failure
Or even death

How to prevent Broken Heart Syndrome?

Many Cardiologists recommend a treatment based on beta-blockers to prevent severe damage to the heart.

It is also recommended to stay away from stressful situations and if they arise, go to a Psychologist or Psychiatrist to seek help to overcome this moment or situation.

Tests to Diagnose Broken Heart Syndrome

Your doctor will typically do a complete physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, and whether you've had any recent stress or loss. Usually, due to symptoms, they are seen in the ER and referred to a Cardiologist.

The tests that may be performed are also the following:

And thus determine exactly the cause, the damage and the treatment to follow.

Broken Heart Syndrome Treatment

There is no standard treatment, as long as the diagnosis is not clear, the treatment is very similar to that of a Heart Attack.

Recovery normally lasts about a month, hence your Cardiologist may recommend another Echocardiogram 6 weeks after the first symptoms to make sure the heart is strong and healthy again.

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BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos

BlueNet Hospitals