Broken heart syndrome

Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition that's often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition also can be caused by a serious physical illness or surgery. Broken heart syndrome is usually short-lived. But some people may still feel unwell after their heart is healed.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain. They may think they're having a heart attack.

Medicines are used to treat symptoms of broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome also may be called:

• Stress cardiomyopathy.
• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
• Recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
• Apical ballooning syndrome.

Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can be like those of a heart attack. Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fainting.

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is not clear. It's thought that it may be caused by a sudden rise in stress hormones, such as adrenaline. The body releases these hormones when you go through something very stressful or upsetting. How these hormones might hurt the heart isn't completely clear.

Other things might be involved too. For example, broken heart syndrome might happen when the large or small arteries of the heart squeeze too tightly for a short time. Some people with broken heart syndrome also have slight changes in their heart muscle.

Most often, broken heart syndrome happens after something physically stressful or very emotional.

Physical stress may include:

• Serious infection such as COVID-19.
• Sudden illness such as an asthma attack.
• Sudden lung failure, also called acute respiratory failure.
• Major surgery.
• Anything that causes sudden pain, such as a broken bone.

Emotional stress may include:

• Death of a loved one or other loss.
• Strong argument.
• Serious money trouble or other financial stress.

Rarely, some medicines or illicit drugs may cause broken heart syndrome, including:

• Emergency medicines used to treat very bad allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
• Some medicines used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Some medicines used to treat anxiety.
• Medicines used to treat a stuffy nose.
• Illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

Always tell your healthcare team about the medicines you take. Include those you can buy without a prescription. When starting a new medicine, talk with your care team about the possible risks and side effects.

Risk factors for broken heart syndrome include:

• Sex. Broken heart syndrome is more common in women than in men.
• Age. Most people who have broken heart syndrome are older than 50.
• Mental health conditions. People who have had or have anxiety or depression may have a higher risk of broken heart syndrome.

Most people who have broken heart syndrome get better quickly. They usually don't have long-lasting effects. But sometimes the condition comes back. When this happens, it is called recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Possible complications of broken heart syndrome include:

• Backup of fluid into the lungs, called pulmonary edema.
• Low blood pressure.
• Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
• Heart failure.
• Blood clots in the heart.

Rarely, broken heart syndrome can cause death.

To help prevent broken heart syndrome, healthcare professionals may suggest beta blockers. These medicines help the heart by blocking the effects of stress hormones, which can hurt the heart if levels go too high.

Ongoing stress may increase the risk of broken heart syndrome. So it's important to take steps to manage emotional stress. Doing so can improve your heart health. It also may help prevent broken heart syndrome. Some ways to reduce or manage stress are:

• Get more exercise.
• Practice mindfulness.
• Connect with others in support groups.