Many people have felt the pain of the metaphoric broken heart. But the broken hearts of songs and poetry also have a physical counterpart. Known medically as stress cardiomyopathy, its less clinical term is "broken heart syndrome."
Stress cardiomyopathy is a sudden and severe weakness in the heart muscle caused by intense emotional or physical distress. On the emotional side, one of the most common triggers is the unexpected death of a loved one. Sometimes, though, the emotional stress is intense but related to far less severe situations. Johns Hopkins researchers have reported cases in which people suffered stress cardiomyopathy in reaction to a public speaking engagement and even a surprise party. Physical triggers can include a car accident, an asthma attack or a seizure.
How to tell the difference. The symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy are similar to those of heart attack: chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness and weakness. But stress cardiomyopathy usually develops within minutes of a severe stressor.
The key difference between heart attacks and stress cardiomyopathy is that each has a distinct underlying cause.
From Johns Hopkins Newsletter
Stress cardiomyopathy is a sudden and severe weakness in the heart muscle caused by intense emotional or physical distress. On the emotional side, one of the most common triggers is the unexpected death of a loved one. Sometimes, though, the emotional stress is intense but related to far less severe situations. Johns Hopkins researchers have reported cases in which people suffered stress cardiomyopathy in reaction to a public speaking engagement and even a surprise party. Physical triggers can include a car accident, an asthma attack or a seizure.
How to tell the difference. The symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy are similar to those of heart attack: chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness and weakness. But stress cardiomyopathy usually develops within minutes of a severe stressor.
The key difference between heart attacks and stress cardiomyopathy is that each has a distinct underlying cause.
- Heart attacks occur when a blockage in the arteries limits blood flow to the heart, damaging portions of the muscle.
- In contrast, during severe stress, the body releases a massive amount of adrenaline and other stress hormones. In some people, heart muscle cells may become temporarily stunned by that hormonal surge, resulting in stress cardiomyopathy.
From Johns Hopkins Newsletter