Broken heart syndrome, also called stress cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or apical ballooning syndrome is a cardiac condition that is often forceful contractions of the heart resulting in brief interruptions in the way the heart pumps blood. Interestingly, the condition affects just a part of the heart while the rest of the heart continues to work as usual. Symptoms of broken heart syndrome may mimic a heart attack and people often experience sudden chest pain. Although the condition is often temporary, some people may experience continued symptoms and weakness. In this health article we discuss the causes, symptoms, and complications of broken heart syndrome. 

Causes of broken heart syndrome

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is undetermined. However, studies state that broken heart syndrome is triggered by serious physical illnesses, surgery, extreme emotions or stressful situations. 

Emotional stressors that can cause broken heart syndrome include:

  • Grief caused from death or separation of a loved one
  • Large or meaningful loss such as loss of job, broken relationship, financial issues
  • Uncontrolled excitement due to a good news 
  • Intense fear and anxiety 
  • Extreme anger

Physical stressors that can cause broken heart syndrome include:

  • Severe pain and physical exhaustion
  • Health issues, including asthma attacks, difficulty or shortness in breath (dyspnea)
  • Acute medical conditions such as stroke, seizure, high fever
  • Accident, large blood loss, head trauma, bone fracture, or surgery
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Substance abuse

In a small percentage of people, broken heart syndrome may be caused without any identifiable physical or emotional stressors.

How do emotional and physical stressors trigger broken heart syndrome?

Physical or emotional stressors activate your brain to release increased quantities of stress hormones in your blood like adrenaline, noradrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine.  These  hormones exert extreme pressure on the heart, particularly on the contractive capacity of the left ventricle. The left ventricular contractile dysfunction temporarily interferes with your heart’s function, causing abnormal rhythm, interruptions in the way the heart pumps blood, and forceful contractions which are all symptoms of broken heart syndrome.

Symptoms of broken heart syndrome

  • Sudden, severe chest pain angina 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakening of the left ventricle of your heart 
  • Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Palpitations
  • Syncope

Complications of broken heart syndrome

Broken heart syndrome rarely causes any complications, but complications may include:

  • Pulmonary edema
  • Rupture of the left ventricle
  • Blockage of the blood flow from your left ventricle
  • Heart failure
  • Blood clot in the wall of your left ventricle
  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Death

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