Is Broken Heart syndrome real?
Yes, it is! Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition also can be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. Broken heart syndrome is often a temporary condition. But some people may continue to feel unwell after the heart is healed.
Broken Heart Syndrome Symptoms:
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack. Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath
Causes:
The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is unclear. It's thought that a surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, might temporarily damage the hearts of some people. How these hormones might hurt the heart or whether something else is responsible isn't completely clear.
A temporary squeezing of the large or small arteries of the heart may play a role. People who have broken heart syndrome also may have a change in the structure of the heart muscle.
Diagnosis:
Broken heart syndrome is often diagnosed in an emergency or hospital setting because symptoms mimic a heart attack.
To diagnose broken heart syndrome, the health care provider examines you and asks questions about your symptoms and medical history. You may be asked if you've had any major stresses recently, such as the death of a loved one.
People who have broken heart syndrome usually don't have any heart disease symptoms before the condition is diagnosed.
Treatment:
There's no standard treatment for broken heart syndrome. Treatment is similar to heart attack care until the diagnosis is clear. Most people stay in the hospital while they get better.
Many people with broken heart syndrome fully recover within a month or so. An echocardiogram is done about 4 to 6 weeks after the first symptoms to make sure the heart is recovered.
