Broken heart syndrome is really a disease. It proves that lovesickness and strokes of fate can make us sick. Find out more here!
What is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome ("stress cardiomyopathy" or "tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy") is a heart muscle disease that is suddenly triggered by great emotional stress. The phenomenon can arise, for example, through heartache or strokes of fate – hence the name, which means "Broken Heart Syndrome" in German. Why a dysfunction of the left heart muscle occurs due to stress has not yet been conclusively clarified. It is noticeable, however, that typical stress hormones in broken heart syndrome have an increased level.
Broken heart syndrome causes symptoms that would otherwise be associated with a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, severe pain and tightness in the chest. However, there is no narrowing of the coronary arteries here. Broken heart syndrome is also less likely to be life-threatening, although serious complications can occur. Stress cardiomyopathy heals completely in a few weeks in most cases. However, researchers have just found a connection between the syndrome and cancer: According to this, one in six people who suffer from stress cardiomyopathy also developed cancer.
Who does broken heart syndrome affect and when does it occur?
Broken heart syndrome is not a congenital condition; it is acquired. Traumatic experiences can be a trigger as well as the death of a loved one or a breakup. Although the disease has been known since the 1990s, there have only been small studies on it and, accordingly, little verifiable data on patients. However, the syndrome seems to be more likely to affect older postmenopausal women. Experts estimate that around 7.5 percent of all women who are hospitalized with a suspected heart attack actually have broken heart syndrome.
Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome
The following symptoms can occur due to acute stress cardiomyopathy:
- Severe pain ("annihilation pain")
- Low blood pressure
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Sweats
- Nausea / vomiting
- Heart failure, possibly causing blood congestion and accumulation of fluid ("edema") in the legs or lungs
- Complications may be cardiac arrhythmias or a severe drop in blood pressure ("cardiogenic shock") due to poor pumping power of the heart. There is an acute danger to life here!
Therapy for broken heart syndrome
It is important to assume that these symptoms are a heart attack and to call the emergency doctor. On the basis of various examinations, the doctor can then decide whether you actually have a heart attack or broken heart syndrome. There is currently no standardized treatment for this, but affected patients are usually observed closely in the intensive care unit, at least for a short time. With various drugs you can also counteract the stress hormones and relieve the heart. The symptoms often subside after a few hours, and in most cases the syndrome is healed after a few weeks.