What is Broken Heart Syndrome (BHS) (Part 1)

Overview

Broken Heart Syndrome (BHS) (pictured at left) is a temporary heart condition often brought on by a stressful situation such as the death of a spouse, however, it can also be caused by a serious physical illness or surgical procedure. Persons experiencing BHS might confuse it for a myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack.

BHS causes a temporary disruption of the hearts's normal pumping function in one area of the heart. (Mayo Clinic, N.D.) The remainder of the heart continues to function normally or, in some rare cases, to have even more forceful contractions. In addition to the scenarios outlined above, BHS can also result from the heart's reaction to an over-production of Stress hormones.

Your healthcare provider might also refer to BHS as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or, simply, Stress cardiomyopathy. The symptoms caused by BHS are treated and include: 1) Chest pain; and 2) Shortness of breath. According to the Mayo Clinic recommends, if you experience either (or both) of these symptoms are long-lasting or persistent, they could also be indicative of a heart attack and to seek immediate medical attention.

What causes BHS?

The exact cause of Broken Heart Syndrome is still unknown, however, it is believed that a surge of stress hormones - such as Adrenaline - temporarily damages the heart of some people. How the hormone injures the heart or whether another factor comes into play is still unclear. There is a school of thought that suggests that a temporary constriction of arteries in the heart might be to blame.

As I stated above, BHS is often preceded by an intense emotional or physical event. Potential triggers can include: 1) News of the unexpected death of a loved one; 2) A frightening medical diagnosis; 3) A particular strong argument; 4) Job loss; and 5) physical stressors such as an asthma attack. In addition, certain medications can cause BHS by causing a surge of stress hormones. Drugs that can cause such a surge include: 1) Levothyroxine (Synthyroid); 2) Ventafaxine (Effexor XR); and 3) Epinephrine (EpiPen).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mayo Clinic (N.D.). Broken Heart Syndrome. Retrieved on June 9, 2019 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617