Does sadness make the heart sick? Let's talk about 'Broken Heart Syndrome'

Have you ever heard that a great deal of grief or shock can actually damage the heart? Sometimes, when we lose a loved one or face a major problem, we experience a strange pain in our chest and difficulty breathing along with the pain. Today, we are going to talk about a strange condition that can occur at times like these, which feels exactly like a heart attack, but is not a heart attack. This is called 'Broken Heart Syndrome'. This is not just a feeling, but an actual medically recognized condition.

What is this 'broken heart syndrome'?

Simply put, this is a temporary condition in which a part of your heart muscle suddenly weakens due to a sudden physical or mental shock. Think about it, when one part of your heart stops working properly, the other parts have to work harder. This weakened heart muscle makes it unable to pump blood properly.

Every cell in our body needs oxygen. This oxygen is carried by the blood. So if the heart isn't pumping blood properly, it affects the entire body. But the best thing is, this is usually a short-term condition.

There are several other names used for this condition. Don't be alarmed if a doctor says one of these names, they all mean the same thing.

• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
• Apical ballooning cardiomyopathy
• Stress cardiomyopathy

Are there main types of this condition?

Yes, there are four main types of this condition. It is identified by the area of ​​the heart that is weak. Let's see what they are.

How common is this condition? Who is more likely to develop it?

About 2% of people who go to a doctor with a suspected heart attack have been found to have 'broken heart syndrome'. However, researchers believe that many more people have the condition, but it is sometimes not properly diagnosed.

Surprisingly, this condition is most common in women . 89% of reported cases are women. The risk is especially high after menopause, which is between the ages of 58-77.

One explanation for this is the hormone estrogen , which is found in women's bodies. This hormone is believed to protect the heart from harmful hormones produced by the body during stress. Since estrogen levels decrease as we age, women are more likely to experience heart damage when exposed to sudden stress.

What are the symptoms of this?

These symptoms can appear within minutes to hours after a traumatic event. The hormones produced by the body during sudden stress temporarily paralyze the heart muscle. The symptoms are very similar to those of a normal heart attack.

How is this different from a heart attack?

This is a point where many people get confused. Although the symptoms are similar, there are big differences between these two conditions.

What kinds of things could cause this?

Although researchers still can't pinpoint a single cause, they believe that a sudden traumatic event is the main cause. At times like these, our bodies suddenly release a large amount of stress hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones are thought to temporarily disrupt the heart's function.

Psychologically impactful emergencies:

• Death of a loved one: It could be a family member, a friend, or even a pet.
• Relationship breakup, divorce.
• Good news: Surprisingly, sometimes even a happy event, like winning the lottery, can cause this.
• Bad news: things like losing a job, losing a lot of money.
• A traumatic event, such as an accident or earthquake.
• Extreme fear: Having to speak in public, facing theft, etc.
• Very angry.

Physically affecting emergencies:

• Severe pain.
• Excessively strenuous physical activity.
• Asthma is an attack, a severe difficulty breathing.
• Conditions such as seizures and stroke.
• High fever, very low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
• Massive bleeding or surgery.

How does a doctor diagnose this?

When you go to the hospital with chest pain, the doctor will first examine you and ask you about the incident. Then, they will run a few tests to determine if it's a heart attack or 'broken heart syndrome.'

• Blood tests: There are enzymes that accumulate in the blood when the heart muscle is damaged. Check their levels.
• EKG (electrocardiogram): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram: This is like a scan of the heart. It can look at how the heart's chambers, valves, and heart muscle are working. In Broken Heart Syndrome, it can clearly show how a part of the heart is weakened.
• Coronary Angiogram: This is the most important test. This involves injecting a special dye into the arteries that carry blood to the heart and taking an X-ray. This can show exactly if there is any blockage in those arteries. In a heart attack, these arteries are blocked, but in Broken Heart Syndrome, no such blockage is seen. This test is the only way to accurately differentiate between these two conditions.
• Chest X-ray and Heart MRI: These tests can also be performed if necessary.

How is it treated?

Although there is no specific 'cure' for this, medications are given to control the symptoms and help the heart recover. Many people make a full recovery with these medications.

• Aspirin: Prevent blood clotting.
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs: Control blood pressure.
• Beta-blockers: Slow down the heart rate and reduce the pressure on the heart.
• Diuretics: Remove unnecessary fluids from the body and reduce the burden on the heart.

The heart usually returns to normal within a few days to a few weeks. However, some people may feel tired and lifeless for months. In such cases, it is very important to talk to your doctor.

What can we do to prevent this and take care of ourselves?

Although there is no specific way to prevent this condition from occurring, learning to manage the stress that comes into our lives can be a great help.

• Stress management: Yoga, meditation, and engaging in activities that calm the mind are very important. Deep breathing exercises are also a great help.
• Healthy lifestyle:
• Eat a good nutritious diet.
• Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes 5 days a week).
• Get 7-9 hours of good sleep a day.
• Completely avoid smoking, drugs, and excessive alcohol use.
• Seek help: If you are experiencing stress that you cannot manage on your own, talk to someone you trust about it. If necessary, seek the help of a professional counselor.

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