The incidence of heart problems has increased during the pandemic
become weak due to emotional stress alone . It ’ s temporary and exhibits the same symptoms as a heart attack but is not caused by any underlying cardiovascular disease . It ’ s also known as stress cardio-myopathy , apical ballooning , or broken heart syndrome .
“ We ’ ve seen that in people who ’ ve had severe bereavements . The heart muscle becomes stunted as a result . What stress does is put unusual or unnecessary sheer force on the inside of the vessels ,” said Dr Nair .
Everyone has a layer of cholesterol , or plaque , on the inside of their cardiac arteries , and when an unusual force is exerted on these blood vessels through the toxic effect of stress hormones , the plaque is put under stress and can rupture , leading to a heart attack with complete occlusion .
Though their symptoms can mimic a heart attack , patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy tend to recover quickly , given proper care , with no long-term heart damage .
Stress can sometimes also be a contributing factor for arrhythmias , or an abnormal heart rate . To counter these and other cardiac conditions brought on by worry resulting from languishing at home amid lockdowns , doctors recommend exercise as one of the best options .
One caution , though , is that when normally sedentary people push their hearts too far with exercise , they can easily put undue stress on their
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com JUNE 2021
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