Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Guest Blogger: Robin Miller

Valentine’s day is over and it may have been a great day for you. For others it may have been stressful as a result of a traumatic break-up or the loss of a loved one, which could literally cause a broken heart. What do I mean?

Broken heart syndrome occurs when there is a sudden trauma, and due to the stress the body releases a huge amount of adrenaline that acts like a stun gun to the heart.  As a result the heart muscle fails to work properly and patients appear to be having a heart attack. They may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and fatigue, and they can develop congestive heart failure.  That is the bad news.

The good news is that they do not suffer a true heart attack. The heart muscle is not damaged permanently and the patients usually recover within a few days. Once back to normal the chance of it happening again is slim to none.

No one knows why, but postmenopausal women around an average age of 60 are those at greatest risk.  It is important to be familiar with this condition and to be alert to the women in your life who suffer the loss of a loved one or experience a traumatic break-up. Although they generally recover, if patients do not receive care and support quickly this condition can be life threatening.

Where do broken hearts go? Hopefully to the hospital where they can be nursed back to health and recover quickly!

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File under: Expert Spotlight