Broken heart syndrome, triggered by stress from a traumatic event such as grief or winning the lottery, feels like a heart attack
- Acute physical or emotional stress can cause broken heart syndrome, in which the heart struggles to pump blood. Middle-aged women are most vulnerable to it
- Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms; while it’s effects are short- term and treatable, you should seek medical help
A broken heart may conjure up bittersweet stories and love songs – but experiencing a traumatic event may actually cause cardiac consequences.
Broken heart syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, occurs when someone experiences sudden and acute physical or emotional stress, which can rapidly weaken the heart’s left ventricle.
Here’s what you need to know about the causes, symptoms and treatment for broken heart syndrome.
Understanding broken heart syndrome
Broken heart syndrome, which was first described in Japan during the 1990s, is a condition in which the left ventricle – the heart’s primary pumping chamber – balloons out, while the base of the heart contracts. This may be dangerous, because it negatively affects the heart’s ability to pump blood.
A heart attack happens when blood flow, which brings oxygen to the heart, is restricted or entirely cut off. Although heart attacks and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are both forms of muscle heart failure and can cause similar symptoms, there are some key differences worth noting.
According to Dr Jay Woody, an emergency medicine doctor and chief medical officer of US-based health care provider Intuitive Health, heart attacks are often caused by blockage from a fatty build-up known as plaque in the wall of the arteries – which can lead to a clot that impedes blood flow to the heart muscle.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, meanwhile, is triggered by a severe emotional or physical response that affects the heart muscle directly.