Broken Heart Syndrome Is Real

What becomes of the broken hearted? We'll get to the answer in a moment. First, you need to know that "broken heart syndrome," also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is a very real thing.

Franciscan Health Indianapolis cardiologist Polly Moore, MD, says broken heart syndrome may feel like you're having a heart attack, but you're not. But, it's important to seek medical care, as the condition could be fatal.

What Is Broken Heart Syndrome?

Stress cardiomyopathy is a temporary "stunning" of the heart following a traumatic event, such as the sudden death of a loved one. It's a temporary -- but potentially deadly -- heart condition brought on by stressful situations and emotions.

The condition got its nickname because it may arise within days of an emotionally difficult event, like the death of a loved one or a divorce. But other stressful situations, from a traffic accident to undergoing surgery, can also be triggers.

Broken heart syndrome goes by other names, as well, including stress-induced cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo syndrome and takotsubo cardiomyopathy. (Takotsubo is an octopus hunting pot used in Japan; the damaged heart takes on a similar shape)

Stress cardiomyopathy is fairly rare. According to the American College of Cardiology, there are between 15 and 30 cases for every 100,000 Americans each year.

How Is Broken Heart Syndrome Different From A Heart Attack?

While a heart attack is caused by severely blocked arteries, broken heart syndrome is typically brought on by stressful events and involves sudden weakening of the heart muscle.

The condition appears to arise when a surge in stress hormones temporarily "stuns" heart muscle cells. During times of stress, the smaller blood vessels of the cardiovascular system constrict rather than dilate.

The resulting symptoms may feel a lot like a heart attack but is a temporary form of heart failure.

While heart muscle cells may be temporarily stunned, they do not die off.

What Are Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome?

Broken heart syndrome causes symptoms that feel like the signs of a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

"The symptoms are very similar," said Dr. Moore, who practices at Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians in Indianapolis. "You may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea. The difference is that it can happen even with low blood pressure, no blockage of the arteries and no history of heart disease."

Can You Die From A Broken Heart?

Most people fully recover from this type of broken heart, but in rare cases broken heart syndrome can be fatal.

"Stress-induced cardiomyopathy can be fatal, but that is rare, especially if the person gets hospitalized and treated quickly," Dr. Moore said. "The heart muscle returns to normal."

But it's critical to act on symptoms of chest pain and difficulty breathing: Get to the ER and let doctors diagnose it.

Dr. Moore said it's important to take quick action if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms that could be similar to those of a heart attack. Doctors won't be able to diagnose your condition until you undergo testing that might include an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiography, chest X-ray, blood test or one of several other imaging procedures. Most people need to have a cardiac catheterization to determine the cause and plan of care.

"Get to the hospital immediately, and let the professionals diagnose your condition. If you truly are experiencing broken heart syndrome, you will likely experience a relatively quick recovery with a low chance for reoccurrence during your lifetime," she said.

How Does Stress Trigger Broken Heart Syndrome?

Triggers of broken heart syndrome can include a romantic breakup, recent death of a loved one, medical illness or any serious stressful event.

Researchers are still learning about the specific causes of broken heart syndrome. It is believed that sudden emotional stress causes a surge of hormones that, in essence, "stuns" the heart muscle. The left ventricle bulges and causes the heart to stop pumping blood normally. (That bulging left ventricle resembles the shape of the takotsubo pot mentioned earlier).

Can You Prevent Broken Heart Syndrome?

There currently is no way to prevent stress-induced cardiomyopathy, other than learning basic stress management skills. Women are more likely than men to experience this condition, especially those over the age of 65.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Broken Heart Syndrome?

Stress-related brain activity may influence the activity of cells that affect heart health, according to researchers in a study published by the European Heart Journal. Measures to lower stress-related brain activity could reduce the risk of the broken heart syndrome.

Follow a heart-healthy lifestyle and find ways to manage stress - through exercise, yoga, meditation or getting better sleep, for example.

Controlling other medical conditions may help as well. People with stress cardiomyopathy may have some of the traditional risk factors for heart attack, such as high blood pressure or diabetes - conditions that also make the small blood vessels prone to dysfunction

HealthDay News contributed information to this report.