Broken Heart Syndrome: Can a Heartbreak Really Kill You?

The death of a loved one, traumatic events, health issues, and other sudden emotional or physical stressors could all lead to broken heart syndrome.

Broken Heart Syndrome

Broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, refers to a short-term condition wherein there is sudden heart muscle weakness. This may happen after a sudden emotional or physical stressor. When a certain part of the heart does not work well, other parts will be forced to work harder.

When the heart muscle is weak, it may disrupt the blood supply of the heart and the heart's capacity to pump blood. If pumping is not well executed, this could bring harm to the whole body, as all cells in the body depend on the steady oxygen supply that blood offers.

The syndrome typically occurs in roughly 2% of individuals who see a healthcare provider for a possible heart attack. However, researchers think that the syndrome has a higher prevalence because it is not widely recognized by providers.

Broken heart syndrome has symptoms that are similar to those of a heart attack. Both conditions could lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. However, with broken heart syndrome, one does not have any blocked coronary arteries. A person with this syndrome may also not have permanent heart damage and may recover quickly and fully.

There are four different kinds of broken heart syndrome, namely, apical, midventricular, basal, and focal. These types vary in terms of the affected parts of the heart and the parts that still function normally.

Researchers are unable to pinpoint the exact causes of broken heart syndrome. However, they think that stressful events, such as a car accident or divorce, could lead to the condition. When the body reacts to emotional or physical stress, stress hormones get released into the blood. Experts believe that such hormones could temporarily interfere with the function of the heart.

Sudden emotional stressors may include grief from a loved one's death, traumatic events, intense fear, bad news, great anger, or even good news. As for physical stressors, examples include an exhausting physical event, grave pain, and health issues.

Those who are female, over 50 years old, have a neurological condition, such as a stroke or seizures, and have a psychiatric condition, such as depression or anxiety, are more likely to have broken heart syndrome.

Can You Die From a Heartbreak?

Felix Elwert, PhD, an associate sociology professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also explains that, for those who lost a husband or wife, broken heart syndrome could boost mortality and let it stay high for years. Elwert explains that this does not coincidentally happen.

As for complications, these are quite rare. However, they could be quite serious. These complications include heart failure, pulmonary edema, left ventricle rupture, blood clots in the left ventricle wall, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, heart block, hypotension, or even death. However, it is rare for broken heart syndrome to lead to death.

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