By Jonathan Frazier
Anyone whose taken an 11th grade English class likely knows the common cliche of a Shakespearean style tragedy in which the main character dies of a broken heart. However, this condition reaches beyond the pages of a cheesy love story. Broken heart syndrome is a real thing.
The Mayo Clinic, a key source in this article, defines broken heart syndrome, or takosubo cardiomyopathy, as “a temporary heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions.”
Broken heart syndrome feels like a heart attack. Usually affecting the pumping ability of a specific section of the heart, takosubo cardiomyopathy can cause other sections of the heart to pump with greater force. Hence, broken heart syndrome can often be identified by an irregular or rapid heartbeat.
Other symptoms in a shortness of breath and chest pain. Recall that broken heart syndrome is typically a temporary abnormality. If chest pains persist, emergency medical personnel or 911 should be contacted immediately. These could be signs of a heart attack.
In part due to the many triggers that have been identified for this mysterious ailment, a direct cause remains elusive to doctors and scientists. However, one theory suggests stress hormones may be the perpetrator. A surge of hormones like adrenaline or cortisol have the potential to temporarily damage the heart. The following are on-record triggers of broken heart syndrome, and some may come as a surprise:
- The death of a loved one
- A frightening medical diagnosis
- Domestic abuse
- Losing — or even winning — a lot of money
- Strong arguments
- A surprise party
- Public speaking
- Job loss or financial difficulty
- Divorce
- Physical stressors, such as an asthma attack, a broken bone or major surgery
- Epinephrine (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr.), which is used to treat severe allergic reactions or a severe asthma attack
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta), a medication given to treat nerve problems in people with diabetes, or as a treatment for depression
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), a treatment for depression
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl), a drug given to people whose thyroid glands don’t work properly
- Unprescribed or illegal stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine
Many doctors recommend long-term treatment with beta blockers or similar medications that block the potentially damaging effects of stress hormones on the heart. Recognizing and managing stress in your life also may help prevent broken heart syndrome, though there’s currently no evidence to prove this.
The Mayo Clinic
Heart attacks pose a far more direct danger because, unlike with takosubo cardiomyopathy, heart attacks mean an artery is actually constricted from the inside. Though less dangerous than heart attacks, there have been rare cases in which broken heart was fatal.
