Did you know that it is possible to die from broken heart syndrome? But what is this pathology and what is it linked to? We will explain everything to you.
Have you ever heard of broken heart syndrome? Contrary to what we might think, it is not a matter of heartbreak. Although sometimes, a breakup can be very painful, even physically, with a feeling of tightness in the chest. But if the origin of broken heart syndrome is also psychological, its consequences are much more serious since it can be fatal.
Melissa Lombard, an American woman tells Huffpost his experience with broken heart syndrome. Life did not spare Melisse Lombard who had to deal with hard blows in a short period of time. In fact, his father and then his grandmother died of cancer the same year. And her 3-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare and difficult-to-control epilepsy. And to top it all off, the young mother lost her job.
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The day his life changed
Lots of difficult events that naturally caused Melisse Lombard anxiety. Then one day, the young woman decides to undergo a cosmetic surgery operation to find your figure, the one before having children. At the clinic, the nurses place her in the room number 13. Bad omen ? “The anesthesia team gave me medicine to calm my nerves, took me into the operating room and put me to sleep. About 10 minutes later everything changed.” says Melissa Lombard.
Shortly after the anesthesia, Melissa Lombard did cardiac arrest. When she wakes up, the young woman learns that she is in cardiac intensive care. “‘Are you under significant stress?’ one of the cardiologists asked me during his visit the next morning. I looked at him blankly. she explains. Melissa Lombard then thinks of the list of all her problems and all her sorrows.
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Broken heart syndrome
After numerous cardiac examinations, the diagnosis was made: Melisse Laborde was suffering from exercise cardiomyopathy, also known as “broken heart syndrome”. It is a complex condition where the heart muscle is rapidly, but temporarily, weakened, often as a result of intense emotional or physical stress. “There is indeed a link, which we increasingly appreciate, between our psychological health and our cardiovascular health,” explains cardiologist Anna C. O’Kelly.
“The exact mechanism is not entirely clear, but it is likely bidirectional. For example, depression is a risk factor for heart disease, but we can imagine that heart disease is also a risk factor for depression if one is not able to be as active, if one has shortness of breath or if one is frequently admitted to the hospital”, adds the cardiologist. Too intense negative emotions can therefore impair cardiac function.
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…