Broken heart syndrome (also known as Takotsubo syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes weakened because of severe physical or emotional stress. In broken heart syndrome, the left ventricle (one of the lower heart chambers) gets enlarged which weakens the heart muscle and affects the blood-pumping function of the heart. Broken heart syndrome can affect any age; it is more frequent in women than in men. Broken heart syndrome is not an inherited condition.
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Dizziness
Abnormal heartbeats
If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a General Practitioner (General Practice doctor), who might refer you to a Cardiologist, for proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent further complications.
Broken heart syndrome is frequently caused by two types of stress: emotional and physical. However, while the majority of those who have this disorder go through a stressful incident, up to 30% of patients have their early symptoms without a clear cause.
Emotional stressors: fear, grief, surprise, extreme anger
Physical stressors: stroke, seizure, significant bleeding, low blood sugar
Because the symptoms of broken heart syndrome resemble those of a heart attack, it is frequently diagnosed in a hospital or emergency room. Different tests will be used to confirm the diagnosis of broken heart syndrome if your cardiologist has a suspicion that you have it. Along with your medical history, your doctor may ask whether you have lately undergone any extreme stressors, such as the loss of a loved one. Tests may consist of:
Blood tests
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram
Cardiac MRI
Angiogram
Broken heart syndrome has no defined standard of care currently. If the source of your symptoms is unclear, your cardiologist might start treating you for a heart attack before broken heart syndrome is identified. Your doctor may recommend medicine to treat your symptoms and support your heart as you recover if broken heart syndrome is determined to be the cause of your symptoms. Many patients who suffer from broken heart syndrome recover completely in about one month. About 4 to 6 weeks following the onset of symptoms, echocardiography is performed to ensure the heart has healed. Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of the following medications:
Medicines for high blood pressure (Ex: enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril, candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan, amlodipine)
Medicines to treat heart failure (Ex: digoxin)
Diuretics (Ex: indapamide, bendroflumethiazide)
Anticoagulants. (Ex: warfarin)
Beta-blockers (Ex: atenolol, bisoprolol)
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