The Broken Heart Syndrome Is REAL, It Can Be Triggered By Very Stressful Situations

Sep 26, 2018 by apost team

We have all heard the story of the bereaved spouse or parent that experienced such intense grief they followed their loved one shortly after, presumably dying from a broken heart. We all assume that other factors may have contributed to their death, but did you know that Broken Heart Syndrome is a real condition, and it can be fatal? Our hearts are made to beat on average 72 times per 60 seconds and pump gallons of blood through our body.

The human heart beats 3.6 million times a year on average and is the cornerstone of our health. We want to do everything we can to keep it our strongest muscle, so we dedicate ourselves to eating right and exercising. While maintaining our physical health is important, it is just as in important to monitor our emotional health, particularly stress when taking care of the heart.

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Whether it is due to embarrassment or just not wanting to be a nuisance to others, some people can be inclined to keep their problems to themselves. Dealing with a problem in isolation can be detrimental to not only your mental health but your physical health as well. Emotional stress can have a serious impact on the healthy functioning of your heart.

In 1990, Japanese researchers discovered the condition of Broken Heart Syndrome or Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Broken Heart Syndrome is caused by severe emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, chronic and severe frustrations, or chronic stress. Because of its associations with emotional stress, Broken Heart Syndrome also can be called stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Broken Heart Syndrome occurs when the left ventricle of the heart takes on a different shape, which causes it to weaken. Due to a buildup of stress, heart muscle cells began to change which does not allow the left ventricle to contract effectively. Once the left ventricle has completely weakened, symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath due to severe emotional or physical stress, abnormal movements in the left ventricle, and ballooning of the left ventricle begin to occur. It has been stated by experts that Broken Heart Syndrome is very similar to having a heart attack; however, no coronary artery obstruction is observed, and the recovery time can be in as little as a month. The syndrome has affected more than 3,000 adults with 90% of those adults being women.

Researchers are still unclear on why a greater number of women suffer from this condition; however, it is clear that those who are affected by it obtain lifelong damage to their heart as a result. As a result of our busy lives and the stress that comes with it, we can become so involved in our problems that we forget to let others in.

Internalizing extreme levels of emotional stress has now been proven to have a potentially fatalistic impact on your health. It is hard to let others in on what has been plaguing us, but once we do, some of the negative stress that’s being constantly carried can be released.

It is understandable that you may have the urge to be strong for those around you. You may not want everyone to know about your personal problems and that is okay, too. If you look around, there may be people ready to lend a listening ear and problem-solve with you to eliminate some of your stress. Call on a trusted friend, spouse, or relative and let them in on some of the struggles you may be facing.

If you truly cannot share your struggle with another person, find a stress relieving activity to participate in. Listening to relaxing music or sounds can take the edge off a difficult day and help you unwind.

Remember, internalizing all of your negative emotions and stress can end up having a lifelong impact on your health. The state of your emotional health can be directly related to your physical health, which is why it is important to find outlets to deal with your emotional stress.

It is also important to reach out to someone who you think may be struggling through a difficult time in their life; you may save a life as a result. Reveal some ways that you have learned to manage your stress or let us know of a difficult situation you are facing.

Do you know someone who has been affected by Broken Heart Syndrome? Or have you experienced it yourself? Tell your story in the comments and let others know about this condition.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!