The heart is the energy source of our entire body. It pumps blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to the rest of our body – to our brains, our hands and to all the vital organs. But if something happens to the heart, the rest of the body suffers. And when the heart breaks, it can be fatal. MercyOne cardiologist helps explain symptoms of a broken heart and why time is critical.
Why the heart breaks
Heartbreak is real. In fact, it’s an actual cardiac condition. Many of us associate the image with a heart cracked in half, but it’s a lot more technical than that.
Broken heart syndrome, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, impacts the bottom left chamber of the heart – temporarily disrupting the heart’s usual pumping function to the rest of the body.
In broken heart syndrome, the tip of the bottom left chamber is not moving well. When you are under emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one or physical stress like having cancer or fractures or infections leading to sepsis, that puts a lot of toll on your body. Your heart responds in a way that makes you suffer.
Women ages 66 and older make up about 90% of broken heart syndrome cases and are often brought on by sad feelings. For men, symptoms are brought on by happy feelings like winning the lottery.
Symptoms of a broken heart
Broken heart syndrome, in many ways, mimics an actual heart attack. So, it can be difficult for patients and doctors to tell the two apart. Symptoms present like a heart attack – sudden onset of chest pain, shortness of breath or in some severe cases, patients may pass out.
When a patient comes to the emergency department, the EKG might look like they’re having a heart attack. When doctors check their blood, the heart enzyme is elevated in both. They’re also not able to distinguish with an ultrasound. The only way to tell the two apart is to have a procedure known as left heart catheterization.
In this procedure, an interventional cardiologist will run a tube from an artery in the wrist to the heart, injecting contrast to see if there are any blockages in the arteries supplying the heart. If there are no blockages, doctors will conclude that the patient has broken heart syndrome.
Healing a broken heart
The good news – you only experience broken heart syndrome once and for those that are diagnosed, treatment involves supportive measures like medication and making sure your blood pressure is in check. Most of the time, you fully recover in about two months as long as the inciting factor of emotional or physical stress is resolved.
In severe cases, when the heart has really suffered and is not pumping well, doctors may put a balloon pump in to help the hearts do its job. And while it is rare, about 2-3% of patients can die of a broken heart.
Time matters for heart issues
Time equals heart. When there is damage or a blockage, the heart will keep trying it’s best to keep beating. Often, at the heart’s own expense.
Your heart is beating 24/7 nonstop. It must receive blood from the vessel on the surface of the heart to keep the heart pumping. So, if you have a blockage, that portion of the heart is not moving well – and if it’s impacted for too long, portions of the heart might die and never recover.
It’s important to pay attention to your body. Know your numbers. Don’t ignore symptoms and know how you might be damaging your heart. If you are having significant chest pain or new shortness of breath, make sure you go see a doctor or if it feels severe or not normal, go to your nearest emergency department.
