Symptoms
The most common signs are chest pain and
shortness of breath. You may feel like you are
having a heart attack. If you feel that way, call
911. You may also have: Dizziness or fainting
Low blood pressure
Nausea
An irregular heartbeat
Usually symptoms start anywhere up to a few
hours after you’ve had stress or shock.
Who Gets It?
Women are much more likely to have broken
heart syndrome than men, especially women
who are over 50. This could be a result of lower
estrogen levels, but doctors aren’t sure.
Experts also believe that genetics may make
some people more likely to get broken heart
syndrome. Folks with certain other conditions
may have a greater risk of it. They include:
A head injury or seizure disorder like epilepsy
A psychiatric disorder like anxiety or
depression
You’re not more likely to get broken heart
syndrome if you have a history of heart
disease.
Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks you might have it, several
tests can help figure things out: Physical exam
and history. Your doctor will examine you
and ask about your symptoms. They’ll want
to know about any major events or stress
you’ve had lately. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
Your doctor will do one of these to look for
any problems with your heart’s rhythm and
structure. The results will let them know if
your symptoms are from a heart attack. Blood
tests. Many of them can show damage to the
heart. Coronary angiogram. This test looks
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at coronary artery disease. Dye is injected
in your chest and your coronary arteries to
help your doctor see any blockages. People
with heart attacks usually have them. Folks
with broken heart symptoms typically don’t.
Echocardiogram. This ultrasound shows your
doctor if you have an enlarged heart or if your
heart has an abnormal shape while it pumps.
That last one can be a sign of broken heart
syndrome. Radionuclide perfusion imaging. A
similar test to an echocardiogram, this helps
show which areas of the heart muscles get
blood normally through the coronary arteries.
It also lets your doctor know where you could
have heart damage. Chest X-ray. This can show
if you have an enlarged heart or if it has an
abnormal shape. It can also help to see if lung
problems are the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment
Broken heart syndrome is treatable. Your
doctor will prescribe medicines used to treat
things like heart failure. For example:
ACE inhibitors
Beta-blockers
Diuretics (water pills)
These drugs can help your heart while it
recovers.
Recovery
Complications can happen. Still, people who
survive the initial stun to the heart typically
get better within 4-8 weeks.