Broken heart syndrome, which we often hear the name of, is the body's reaction to situations such as constant stress and sadness. Hiraru Sato discovered this condition, which manifests itself with symptoms similar to a heart attack, in 1990 and named it Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. The name was coined because the left side of the heart at the time the syndrome developed resembled the vessel used by Japanese fishermen to catch octopus. However, broken heart syndrome is also called intense distress cardiomyopathy, apical balloon syndrome. It is named. The condition develops like a heart attack and the affected person feels that they are having a heart attack. Variables such as ECG measurements and blood values are also similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. It is more likely to occur in people who are under intense distress and can lead to bad outcomes, including cardiac arrest.
Broken heart syndrome is a non-permanent heart condition that occurs as a result of major traumatizing events such as the loss of a loved one, abandonment or separation. Operations or physical ailments can also trigger this syndrome. People with this syndrome experience a sudden onset of chest pain that feels like they are having a heart attack. In the development of this syndrome, there is a non-permanent problem with the pumping function of the left side of the heart. The rest of the heart continues to contract normally or strongly.
Heart attacks and broken heart syndrome are often confused with each other. However, there are differences between the two. A heart attack is usually caused by partial or complete blockage of the arteries in the heart. The cause of this blockage is characterized by high blood fats. In a person with broken heart syndrome, there is no blockage in the arteries, but the blood flow in the vessels of the heart is weakened.
What are the symptoms of broken heart syndrome?
The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are similar to those of a heart attack. Therefore, a person with broken heart syndrome may be mistaken for having a heart attack from the time they go to the hospital until the individual's reports are investigated.
The syndrome has two most prominent symptoms. These symptoms are mild, severe pain in the chest and shortness of breath. This is why you should pay attention and go to hospital. In cases such as extremely high or irregular heart rhythm, traumas experienced by the individual and shortness of breath that occurs after a high stress situation, health institutions should be consulted without wasting time. Apart from these, the different symptoms that indicate broken heart syndrome are as follows;
- Pain in the left arm and lower arm
- Sweating of the person
- Continuous compression of the heart
- Fatigue, restlessness and stress
- Inability to control body movements
- Anxiety of being alone
- Headache
- Inability to concentrate
What Causes Broken Heart Syndrome?
The cause of this syndrome is not clearly known. It has been observed that the factors that pave the way for the development of the disorder will damage the heart's working system, although not permanently. Negative situations such as anxiety, stress, sadness, and traumas play a primary role in the development of this syndrome. Apart from this, different possible causes that predispose to the occurrence of broken heart syndrome are as follows;
- Loss of a loved one
- Receiving news of a difficult-to-treat condition
- Sudden increase or loss of financial status
- Traumatic events in the family
- Separation, loneliness, deception
- Losing the job
- Having a stressful discussion
- Chronic asthma attack
- Theft cases
- Accidents
- Undergoing major medical operations
- Anxiety and other mental disorders
- Advancing age
- Epilepsy disorder
How is Broken Heart Syndrome Diagnosed?
People with this syndrome present to hospital emergency departments with problems that are similar to a heart attack. In these people, ECG and blood values generally coincide with a heart attack. The history of the patient can be taken from the family of the sick person. After the first intervention, the person's life safety is ensured and imaging tests for the heart vessels are examined. In this process, no problems are found in imaging in people with this syndrome. However, a clear diagnosis of the condition is made after ultrasonographic imaging of the heart. This syndrome is rare, especially in older people who experience sudden stress and sadness, the presence of broken heart syndrome should be suspected and necessary tests should be performed. Although this syndrome is rare, it can cause death. Broken heart syndrome, which can rarely be fatal, usually has long-term effects in patients, and the person regains his/her health after a successful treatment process.
What are the Treatment Methods for Broken Heart Syndrome?
Approximately 1-2% of people admitted to the hospital with the thought of a heart attack are thought to have broken heart syndrome.
In such cases, the treatment process begins with the diagnosis of broken heart syndrome after blood tests, ECG, echocardiography and angiography findings.
It may vary depending on the health status of the patient, drug treatment can be initiated by specialists, and protection is provided by preventing the recurrence of the syndrome. Aspirin or similar blood thinners are recommended for people with atherosclerosis; there is no long-term treatment plan. Adrenaline levels in the blood can be kept under control. People with the syndrome should try to protect themselves from physical and emotional stress in case the syndrome recurs.
People with this syndrome have a high risk of heart failure. Therefore, if necessary, agents that stimulate the contraction of the heart should be administered. After the symptoms have completely disappeared, the affected person should be checked regularly at the times recommended by the specialist.
If you have experienced this syndrome at some point in your life, you should keep your check-ups and get support from a specialist. You can maintain your heart health by regularly following the treatment plan recommended by your specialist.