What is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome, which has been heard frequently in recent years, is a response of the body to intense stress. This disease, which manifests itself with findings similar to a heart attack, was discovered by Hiraru Sato in 1990 and named Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. The name comes from the fact that the left part of the heart resembles the octopus fishing boat used by Japanese fishermen when the syndrome developed. Broken heart syndrome is also called stress cardiomyopathy and apical balloon syndrome. The disease develops just like a heart attack and the patient feels as if he is having an attack. Meanwhile, the patient’s ECG measurements and blood values parameters are similar to heart attack findings. This disease, which is more likely to be seen in individuals under extreme stress, can have serious consequences, up to cardiac arrest.
What are the symptoms of broken heart syndrome?
The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are almost the same as those of a heart attack. For this reason, broken heart syndrome can be confused with a heart attack in the period from the moment of hospitalization to the examination of the person. The two most important symptoms of the disease are chest pain and shortness of breath. Mild or severe long-term pain in the chest can be a sign of a heart attack or broken heart syndrome. For this reason, it should be taken seriously and a health institution should be consulted. In cases such as very fast or irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath after an event that affects the person deeply and causes severe stress, it is necessary to go to the hospital without wasting time. Apart from these, other symptoms that indicate brokenheartsyndrome can be listed as follows:
- Pain in left arm and lower area
- Exude
- Constant feeling of tightness in the heart
- Fatigue, restlessness and stress
- Uncontrolled and unbalanced body movements
- Headache
- Difficulty concentrating
What causes broken heart syndrome?
Although the exact cause of the broken heart syndrome is not known, it is known that the factors that trigger the development of the disease can cause temporary damage to the working order of the heart. Although the mechanism of how this hormone damages the heart has not been fully elucidated, it is known that situations such as sadness, stress, bad news and excitement that increase the level of the hormone adrenaline are the main causes of the development of broken heartsyndrome. . Apart from this, other potential causes that trigger the emergence of broken eart syndrome can be listed as follows:
- Receiving news of the unexpected death of a loved one
- Being diagnosed with a terrible disease
- Making or losing large sums of money at once domestic violence
- Separation, divorce, cheating or abandonment
- Having to make a statement to a large audience
- Job loss
- Unexpected surprises
- Do not get into a heated argument asthma attack
- Theft incidents
- Accidents and traumas
- Serious surgeries
- Depression and other psychological illnesses
- Advanced age
- Epilepsy disease
What are the treatments for broken heart syndrome?
It is estimated that approximately 1-2% of patients admitted to hospitals with a heart attack picture called acute coronary syndrome are cases of broken heartsyndrome. If the diagnosis of brokenheart syndrome is made after blood findings, ECG, echocardiography and angiography examinations in patients who come in this way, the treatment is usually in the form of supportive treatment. Although it may vary according to the patient’s condition, doctors usually prescribe drugs containing beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics to relieve acute symptoms and protect against possible recurrence of the syndrome. It is generally recommended to use an aspirin-like blood thinner in patients with atherosclerosis. There is no recommended long-term treatment plan for the disease with fully proven therapeutic power; However, since the probability of recurrence of the disease is very low, beta-blockers can be used continuously at a certain dose. In this way, adrenaline levels in the blood can be kept under control. In the same possibility, patients should take precautions to avoid physical and emotional stress.
During the acute treatment period, systolic function of the heart and ventricular wall motion disorders are completely recovered within one to four weeks. Since the risk of heart failure is higher in patients with brokenheart syndrome, patients should be evaluated in this regard and agents that improve heart contractions should be used when necessary. After the symptoms disappear completely, patients should undergo regular health checks at intervals recommended by the physician. If you have experienced broken heart syndrome in a previous period of your life, you should not neglect your regular check-ups. You can protect your heart health by paying attention to the treatment principles recommended by your doctor.
Editor’s Note: Take care of your heart, don’t let anyone break your heart.
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