Suffering great emotional stress — such as a breakup or the death of a family member — can have consequences for heart health and even lead to death. The condition known as broken heart syndrome is one of these complications and is characterized by symptoms that resemble a heart attack.
Also called “stress-induced cardiomyopathy ” or “takotsubo syndrome “, broken heart syndrome occurs when the heart muscles weaken, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. It is triggered by stressful events, rather than blockage of the heart’s coronary arteries. Therefore, it is not considered a heart attack, despite similar symptoms.
“During an episode [de síndrome do coração partido], the left ventricle of the heart suffers paralysis at the apex and center, which leaves it without the strength to perform its proper function. This condition is triggered by excessive exposure to stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which are produced when we are subjected to strong emotions”, explains cardiologist Gabriel Gonzalo, from the Sírio-Libanês Institute of Social Responsibility (IRSSL).
Broken heart syndrome is generally considered a illness of psychological origin , related to the release of high levels of hormones into the bloodstream. However, it can be identified through imaging tests, which show that the muscles of the ventricles, specifically the left one, do not contract correctly, reducing blood flow.
Generally, patients recover in days or weeks, but in rare cases that are not treated properly, they can lead to death. This happens due to complications arising from the syndrome, such as cardiac arrhythmias, formation of intracavitary thrombi or refractory heart failure.
What are the causes of broken heart syndrome?
According to Jasvan Leite, a cardiologist at Hcor, the syndrome can be caused by stressful and traumatic events, such as the unexpected death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, dismissal from a job, natural disasters and even the loss of material goods with emotional value.
“This type of situation causes an increase in the production of stress hormones in the body, which can cause contraction of some cardiac vessels, damaging the heart. In fact, studies indicate that going through stressful situations, such as these, increases the chance of a heart attack by two times”, explains the specialist.
The syndrome was discovered around 35 years ago, but has become more common in recent times, due to the level of stress and emotional overload in the modern lifestyle. “This disease has a psychological origin, but the damage caused to the heart is physical and simulates a myocardial infarction”, adds the cardiologist.
Women and the elderly are most affected
According to Gonzalo, the syndrome is more prevalent in women and the elderly. In the case of women, hormonal factors may be related. “Hormonal changes, especially during menopause, when there is a decrease in the production of estrogen, a hormone that protects the heart, can contribute to this greater susceptibility. Furthermore, women tend to be more sensitive to physical and emotional stress”, explains the cardiologist.
In the elderly, studies have documented that there is a phenomenon called “widowhood effect ” which can increase the risk of the syndrome. According to a study published in 2008, the risk of an elderly person dying from any cause increases between 30% and 90% in the first three months after the death of a spouse and drops to around 15% in the following months.
Furthermore, researchers have shown that widowhood affects the health of older people in a non-uniform way. When a partner died suddenly, for example, the surviving spouse’s risk of death increased, according to work by researchers Nicholas Christakis, who directs the Human Nature Laboratory at Yale University, and Felix Elwert, a professor of sociology at Yale University. from Wisconsin.
When the spouse died of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, researchers observed that there was no impact on the health of the surviving partner. In the researchers’ hypothesis, this possibly happened because he had adequate time to prepare for losing his spouse.
How is broken heart syndrome treated?
Treatment for broken heart syndrome depends on the severity of the symptoms. According to Gonzalo, medications such as diuretics, beta blockers and angiotensin-conserving enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), as well as vasodilators can be prescribed to address the mechanism that caused the problem.
Furthermore, the syndrome can cause a great emotional impact, leading to symptoms of deep sadness, anxiety and depression. Therefore, in some cases, antidepressant and anxiolytic medications may be included in the treatment.
Is it possible to prevent the syndrome?
According to the cardiologist, there is no effective way to completely prevent broken heart syndrome. However, the Adopting healthy habits can help improve heart health . “We must maintain a healthier lifestyle, both physically and emotionally, seeking activities that relieve our tension and promote self-control, such as playing sports or relaxation exercises”, he concludes.
“Those in situations of great emotional stress also need a strong support network to help them overcome the trauma. It is essential, as soon as possible, to carry out specific tests that can assess the individual’s cardiac capacity. Not smoking and not consuming alcoholic beverages are other indicators that help prevent heart pathologies”, adds Leite.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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