Heart Ailment Caused by Bhavleen Kaur Sethi: Broken Heart Syndrome
Broken Heart Syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a condition of the heart that can be triggered by abrupt physical or emotional stressors. This condition, which affects the heart's function, is more common in women aged 58 to 75.
The heart's arteries might have decreased blood flow in Broken Heart Syndrome, but they are not blocked like in a heart attack. This condition occurs when the heart muscle weakens suddenly due to a physical or mental stressor, unlike a heart attack where the arteries are blocked.
Symptoms can occur immediately or hours after the traumatic event and may include sudden, acute chest pain, breathlessness, the left ventricle of the heart becoming weaker, abnormal heartbeats, low blood pressure, palpitations in the heart, fainting, and others.
Complications are relatively rare, but they could include other health issues such as cardiogenic shock, a critical condition from severe heart failure that can occur during the acute phase. Life-threatening arrhythmias, myocardial rupture, and sudden death are also potential complications. Inpatient mortality rates range between 2-9% during the acute phase, reflecting the risks associated with the condition.
Risk factors for Broken Heart Syndrome include being female, being over 50, experiencing chronic stress, having mental health issues like anxiety or depression, and others. Certain medicines can also cause broken heart syndrome, such as epinephrine, venlafaxine (Effexor XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl), methamphetamine, cocaine, and others.
Establishing healthy habits like a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help manage stress and potentially prevent Broken Heart Syndrome. Being aware of your body and visiting your healthcare practitioner if you think there might be a problem can also be beneficial.
Treatment for Broken Heart Syndrome typically involves the use of beta-blockers to lower heart rate, medication used to treat heart failure, ACE inhibitors or ARBs to reduce blood pressure and combat inflammation, diuretics to reduce fluid retention, and aspirin to promote blood flow and prevent blood clots.
After recovery, there is typically no long-term heart damage in Broken Heart Syndrome. However, it's important to note that the most common type of broken heart syndrome, Apical, which affects the lower half of the heart, can lead to serious long-term effects and complications, particularly if severe. These can include raised risk of further heart problems, increased risk of heart failure and stroke after bereavement, potential lasting impact of grief on mortality, and others.
Pulmonary edema is a complication that can occur in Broken Heart Syndrome. Cardiac block is not a common condition in Broken Heart Syndrome, and a blockage in the left ventricle's blood flow can happen, but it is not a heart attack.
A follow-up echocardiography may be recommended four to six weeks after a Broken Heart Syndrome episode to check heart function. It's crucial to remember that while death is rare in Broken Heart Syndrome, most patients fully recover.
In conclusion, while Broken Heart Syndrome can be a serious condition, awareness, early detection, and proper treatment can significantly improve the chances of a full recovery. It's essential to prioritise self-care, manage stress, and seek medical help when necessary to minimise the risks associated with this condition.
Mental health issues like anxiety or depression, as well as chronic stress, can increase the risk of developing Broken Heart Syndrome. Establishing healthy habits such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can help manage stress and potentially prevent this condition. In patient care, medical-conditions like cardiogenic shock, life-threatening arrhythmias, and myocardial rupture can occur as potential complications, but proper treatment with beta-blockers, medications for heart failure, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, diuretics, and aspirin can help improve the chances of recovery.
