From Grief to Cardiac Crisis

In heated moments of fatigue and distress, the mind can react in various emotional and physical ways that affect the body and the heart. An instantaneous switch in emotion—whether through grief, fear, or anguish—can practically physically pierce one’s heart. 

Broken heart syndrome may seem like a term for emotional heartbreak, but its effects have significant physical consequences. Formally known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, named after its first known case in Japan, this heart condition is usually caused by large amounts of stress or overwhelming emotions. It temporarily affects the left ventricle, which helps with blood distribution to the body. This can result in a disturbance in how the heart pumps blood, leading to various symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or dizziness.

Scientists have yet to figure out the causes of broken heart syndrome. In many cases, a physical or emotional event—such as the death of a loved one, a broken bone, intense arguments, fear, public speaking, and financial loss—occurs before the onset of this condition. More severe forms of physical stress—including car accidents, domestic violence, or medical conditions such as COVID-19—may also trigger this syndrome. While most individuals with broken heart syndrome experience a triggering event, up to 30 percent of patients develop symptoms without any identifiable cause.

Most individuals with this syndrome are over the age of 50. Underlying or previous mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can also increase the chances of developing such conditions. Common symptoms include a sudden sharp pain in the body, feelings of a heart attack, shortness of breath, and more forceful contractions. Many people experience unpredictable moments of chest pain or may have a hard time breathing properly. Depending on the severity of conditions, symptoms are likely to worsen. In some cases, individuals with this syndrome can experience an alteration in the structure of their heart muscle. This is due to the sudden spikes in stress hormones that can deform the left ventricle.

In response to sudden stress, the body produces hormones and proteins, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, that are used to help target this stress by increasing heart rate, raising blood pressure, and expanding airways to redirect blood flow. However, the sudden amounts of adrenaline produced can overwhelm the heart, causing the arteries that supply blood to shrink and reducing blood flow to the heart. More severe symptoms include adrenaline that may bind to the heart, which causes calcium to enter its cells and create irregular heartbeats, resulting in arrhythmias.

Several factors, such as sex and age, are considered risk factors of broken heart syndrome. For instance, this condition is more commonly found in women than in men. In fact, more than 90 percent of reported cases of this syndrome are prevalent in women ages 58 to 75. Studies show that up to five percent of women suspected of having a heart attack are actually experiencing broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome is rarely fatal, as most individuals are able to quickly recover and live a healthy life. However, some complications include risks of low blood sugar, heart failure, blood clots in the heart, fluid overload, and the buildup in the alveoli, or air sacs, of the lungs, which can cause various breathing problems. In some cases, individuals may suffer from arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeat patterns, due to stress. While these symptoms are similar to those of heart attacks, they do not cause complete blockage of the arteries. Rather, the flow of blood through the arteries can become slower. In most cases, individuals will be able to recover from this syndrome in one to four weeks.

Though there are no specific treatments, common symptom management includes taking medications and frequent exercise. Beta blockers, medications used to block the body’s “fight or flight response” by blocking adrenaline and noradrenaline, are recommended as long-term treatment, often being prescribed to treat various cardiovascular diseases. Beta blockers slow down certain types of cell activity, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate. These blockers ensure appropriate responses to stress and danger in an individual’s body.

When the heart aches, it causes pain beyond the emotional level. This syndrome proves a powerful message between the mind, body, and the heart. By recognizing the leading causes and risk factors associated with this specific condition, individuals can refrain from habitual activities that lead to likely symptoms, which may potentially worsen. Broken heart syndrome can leave scars on the body, making it crucial for individuals to maintain a healthy balance and regulate emotions for a healthy, prosperous life.