Written by: Deepa Sarkar
Yes! Broken Heart Syndrome (or stress cardiomyopathy) is an actual medical condition caused by either emotional or physical stress.
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Let's discuss how it happens and how to recover from it.
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Also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, this is a condition that weakens your heart muscle and mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, except there aren’t blocked arteries.
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Emotional shocks such as: -A breakup or divorce -Death of a loved one -Extreme fear or anger -Sudden good news (yes, even good news can send you into stress cardiomyopathy)
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-Women (especially if they are post-menopausal) -High stress -Anxiety or depression history
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-Sudden chest pain -Shortness of breath -Sweating and fatigue -Irregular heartbeat Note: The symptoms mirror a heart attack, so please seek immediate medical attention.
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Unlike a heart attack, there are: -No blocked arteries -Heart function that is only temp. -You are likely to feel better within days to weeks with the right treatment.
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Yes, it can be fatal, but it is rare. In the vast majority of cases, when treated properly, people will fully recover within days to weeks.
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Doctors will do: -ECG -Echocardiogram -Blood tests -Coronary angiogram to confirm it is NOT a heart attack.
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-Beta-blockers & anti-anxiety medications. -Stress relief education. -Cardiac rehabilitation.
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-Practice mindfulness or yoga -Stay socially connected -Don’t suppress your emotions -Go to therapy whenever needed -Emotional health is heart health
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Listen to your heart- literally & focus on your emotional health as much as your physical health to have an overall healthier and stronger self.
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Tap on that love ❤️ button. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!
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