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The Science Behind Broken Heart Syndrome

by Gauri Kolhe

Did you know that a study of 135,000 people had shown that 88% of women above 50 years are affected and are prone to be affected by broken heart syndrome? It is expected that the risk to be highest in older women over 75, who are more likely to have stress cardiomyopathy than younger women.

What is a broken heart syndrome?

Stress cardiomyopathy is characterized by a sudden weakening of the heart muscle in response to a physical or emotional stressor. Unlike a heart attack, broken heart syndrome is temporary and reversible.

The symptoms can be very similar to those of a heart attack, including chest pain, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath, but they are not life-threatening. That’s why it’s called “broken” heart syndrome: the walls of your arteries don’t break, but they do become weak and dilated, which means more blood flows through them than usual. This extra blood flow can make you feel faint, as well as cause fatigue and shortness of breath.

Causes:

You can be alert if you know the causes of this sudden attack. Or it can protect your family people from falling into situations like it. But unfortunately, the clear causes for this situation are not identified yet. While some doctors say that exposure to excessive stress can be the leading cause, some others say that pressure of cholesterol on the arteries can also be the main cause.

Few have noticed that a broken heart situation is caused to a person who is handling a challenging mental situation in their life. Some rare cases have rescinded positively to this by taking certain medications, like medicine for anxiety.

Ultimately, all the reasons connected to stress are what the medical researchers have found.

Ways to manage stress:

Have a positive mindset. Know that you cannot control certain things in york life, and you have to grow through them.

Most of the time, unrealistic goals and limitations are the causes of stress. Know your stage in life and plan accordingly.

If you can’t handle challenging situations by yourself or can’t identify the reason you are feeling stressed, don’t hesitate to seek a psychologist. They can find out the root cause and solve the problem. They also know to keep the heart’s health in good condition with medicines.

Adding some physical activity to your daily routine can indirectly have a positive effect on your mental health indirectly.

A good diet is the most critical factor when it comes to heart-related diseases. Monitor and analyze what you eat. Similarly, when you eat is also very important as you cross the age of 40. Eating regularly or often at unusual times will cause chest irritation. Also, another important thing to keep in mind is that you eat regularly and do not skip your meals.

Having a good 7-8 hours of sleep is a must for people of all ages. This time to rest will make our mind relax and have a good effect on heart health.

Symptoms:

This has the same symptoms as a heart attack as they are both related to the heart.

  • Severe chest pain
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Fluids felt in lungs
  • Low BP

Clinical diagnosis to find a Broken heart syndrome:

  • Measuring the heart’s electrical activity with EKG
  • Chest X-ray
  • Ventriculogram
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Echocardiography

Curing of stress cardiomyopathy:

  • ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure.
  • Beta-blockers slow the heart rate.
  • Diuretics to decrease fluid buildup.
  • Anti-anxiety medicines to manage stress.

If your heart muscle has been weakened significantly, your healthcare provider may recommend cardiac rehabilitation. Yoga, meditation, and other stress-reduction techniques may help you manage your stress. Talk with your healthcare provider about these methods, and ask if they have information on local programs or services that offer them.

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