If you are frequently on the internet, you might have heard people say that you could die from a broken heart. But is it fact or fiction? Does anyone know if the risks of death are high? Can eating copious amounts of ice cream heal a broken heart and lower your chances of death? We're going to find that out today!
Let's get straight to the point - yes, broken heart syndrome is a thing! It is a syndrome that is caused by extremely stressful events that creates an extreme emotional response as a result. According to Mayo Clinic, “Broken heart syndrome is usually temporary,” (Mayo Clinic Staff). There are a ton of other names for Broken Heart Syndrome, including “stress cardiomyopathy”, “takotsubo cardiomyopathy”, “recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy”, and “apical ballooning syndrome”. Just know that they all mean the same thing!
When you experience a stressful event, think about the emotional response that results from it. These events can be emotional or physical stress. Do you feel the urge to cry or scream? Maybe sit down on the couch with your head in your hands? Well, broken heart syndrome can actually occur fairly quickly after the stressful event! The cause of the syndrome comes from the “release of stress hormones [that] temporarily stuns your heart muscle,” (Cleveland Clinic). By stunning your heart muscle, it produces the symptoms of broken heart syndrome. Some symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, fainting, etc. These symptoms may seem similar to the symptoms of a heart attack, but don’t get the two confused! The difference between broken heart syndrome and a heart attack is that broken heart syndrome does not result in permanent heart damage like a heart attack may typically do. It typically takes a person with the syndrome a few days to a few weeks to recover. That means that there is good news - broken heart syndrome being fatal is very rare!
So, what are some ways to treat the syndrome? Will ice cream be our hero? Doctors will make sure to provide the medicines necessary to treat the syndrome. Many of these medicines will help to treat high blood pressure, and most of the medications are similar to those that treate heart attacks. However, simply resting and being monitored in the hospital by a professional can help to treat broken heart syndrome. So while stuffing our stomachs with ice cream may stop our tears from flowing, if you feel your symptoms getting worse or experience any of these symptoms for a long period of time, then it’s time for a check up!
Because life is full of ups and downs, there is no absolute way to avoid getting a broken heart and experiencing broken heart syndrome. However, there are ways to decrease stress levels and ways of expressing your emotions that can decrease your risk of getting the syndrome. Some of these prevention techniques include meditation, breathing exercises, therapy, spending time with your loved ones, etc.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed with emotion, keep in mind that broken heart syndrome is a real thing, and to always take care of your health. Your body comes first and foremost!
Resources used:
American Heart Association. “Is Broken Heart Syndrome Real?” Www.heart.org, 2019, www.heart.org/en/health-
Cleveland Clinic. “Broken Heart Syndrome | Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, 2018,
Health, St Vincent’s Heart. “St Vincent’s Heart Health.” Www.svhhearthealth.com.au,
“Is Broken Heart Syndrome Real? | Mass General Brigham.” Www.massgeneralbrigham.org,
June 2024.
Mary Jo DiLonardo. “Can You Die of a Broken Heart?” WebMD, WebMD, 20 Oct. 2017, www.webmd.com/heart-
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Broken Heart Syndrome - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2016,
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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