Cardiologist Helps You Understand Broken Heart Syndrome

What Is Broken Heart Syndrome and How Does It Affect You?

Broken heart syndrome is a disease that has signs similar to a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, but it is exacerbated by an emotionally traumatic occurrence rather than clogged arteries, says a renowned cardiologist in Kolkata.

It’s caused by extremely stressful circumstances, such as the death of a loved one. The disease is medically known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Causes of Broken Heart Syndrome

When you have this heart disease, your body produces stress hormones that temporarily reduce your heart’s capacity to pump as well as it should. It is because a part of your heart called the left ventricle weakens, thereby stopping it from pumping blood well. Your coronary arteries, which provide oxygen to your heart muscle, can also spasm, according to a heart specialist in Kolkata. This can result in chest pain.

Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome

Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms.

• A feeling of dizziness or fainting
• Nausea
• Blood pressure that is too low
• Irregular heartbeat

Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to several days after you’ve experienced stress or shock.

Triggers for Broken Heart Syndrome

According to the best cardiologist in Kolkata, broken heart syndrome may be caused by a variety of traumatic emotional events, both good and bad, including:

• Surgery
• Death of loved ones
• Abuse
• Serious illness
• Money problem
• Losing your job
• Public speaking
• Car accident
• Getting divorced
• Winning a lottery
• Emotional memories

Certain medications, in rare circumstances, can cause broken heart syndrome by causing hormones to increase in your body. The following are examples of such drugs:

• Epinephrine – a drug used for treating serious allergic reactions
• Venlafaxine – an antidepressant
• Duloxetine – works as an antidepressant and is used for treating nerve problems in people with diabetes
• Levothyroxine – used for the treatment of thyroid problems
• Methamphetamine

Heart Attack vs. Broken Heart Syndrome

Although they might feel the same, they are not the same. Blockages of waxy accumulation inside the arteries leading to your heart trigger heart attacks. Although no blockages occur during broken heart syndrome, the heart simply does not pump blood as well as it should, resulting in heart attack-like symptoms.

Treatment for Broken Heart Syndrome

The disease is treatable. Your cardiologist in Kolkata can prescribe medications used for treating conditions such as heart failure:

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta-blockers
• Diuretics
• Anti-anxiety medications

People who survive the initial heart stun usually recover in 4 to 8 weeks. After 6 weeks, your doctor can order a test to see if your heart has improved, such as an echocardiogram. The top cardiologist in Kolkata may tell you that you should stop taking medicine for broken heart syndrome once you’ve recovered.