Broken heart syndrome – not just a metaphor
From work woes to failed romantic relationships to the death of loved ones, most of us have suffered from a broken heart.
But is broken heart syndrome really possible?
“The syndrome imitates the symptoms of a heart attack,” says Laxmi Mehta, MD, director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic at The Ohio State University Medical Center “Awareness is rising as the number of reports increases.”
More and more women are describing heart attack-like symptoms resulting from physical or emotional stress. It’s not clear why, but the syndrome is most prevalent in older, post-menopausal women.
Patients experience transient, profound heart muscle weakness, but after physicians administer a heart catheterization, no significant blockage is seen and a heart MRI demonstrates lack of heart muscle scarring.
Mehta says not to discredit broken heart syndrome, because “it profoundly worsens heart function and in rare instances can be fatal. It can recur in 10 percent of the patients.”
The good news is broken heart syndrome is completely reversible when properly managed. Treatments include psychological counseling, antidepressants as necessary and the same medications prescribed for heart attack patients.
With stress management, it is hoped that broken heart syndrome can be avoided. Here are some stress-relieving suggestions:
- Exercise. Relieve tension and elevate mood by participating in a physical activity daily.
- Breathe. Incorporate breathing exercises, yoga or meditation in your daily routine to naturally calm your nervous system.
- Take a vacation. Remove yourself from sources of anxiety and use the time to create solutions to your problems.
- Seek professional help. Remedy the situation by getting to the root of your stress with the help of a trained counselor.
Learn more about OSU Medical Center’s stress reducing services.