You Can Actually Die From a Broken Heart

“Broken Heart Syndrome” also known as Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or Stress Cardiomyopathy may sound like your run-of-the-mill anxiety attack or some form of psychological illness.  However, Broken Heart Syndrome has real, even fatal, consequences.

You may have heard stories where one person dies and their spouse, devastated and lost, soon follows.  The failing health of lifelong partners may not be a coincidence.   It could be from a real life broken heart.  In about 2% of the heart attacks presented, it is actually Broken Heart Syndrome which is characterized by an enlarged and weakened left ventricle.    Symptoms include those of a classic heart attack such as chest pain, arm pain, crushing pain, feelings of despair or doom and shortness of breath.  It is important if you have any chest pain that you call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.

What makes Stress Cardiomyopathy different from a heart attack?  With a heart attack, upon examination, one or more arteries are clogged or restricted.  With Broken Heart Syndrome, the arteries are clear, but the symptoms remain.  Additionally, the left ventricle becomes uncharacteristically ballooned as well as weakened.  The ballooning resembles octopus traps used in Japan and that’s where the name “Takotsubo” is derived.  It means, literally, “octopus trap.”

Irregular heart on the left...

Octopus traps in Japan...

Stress Cardiomyopathy can result from sudden trauma, extreme stress, a breakup or the death of a loved one.  Ninety percent of the cases are in women.  Eight percent of the cases result in death.  Normally, the condition will resolve itself within four weeks without medications, but in some instances, beta-blockers may be used.

The ache of loss may simply be emotional pain, but in some rare instances an ache in the chest may actually be the pain of a real broken heart.