It has been said that “sharp are the arrows of a broken heart,” yet few of us could imagine such a wound could kill us. But it can. The clinical name for this is called “Takotsubo Syndrome.” It’s also known as Broken Heart Syndrome.
Can A Person Die From A Broken Heart?
Yes, It’s Called Takotsubo Syndrome – Mean’s Broken Heart
When the heart muscle is stunned by the emotional shock, it can cause the left ventricle to change shape, enlarge and bulge out from the rest of the heart. The term “Takotsubo Syndrom” originated in Japan and described the large form of the head of an Octopus. This disproportionate shape and size of the head resemble the shape of a distorted left ventricle.
The Danger of Acute and Unexpected Life Stressors
Stress
Unlike the classic heart attack, there are no arterial obstructions in the heart or vascular structures in Broken Heart Syndrome. Instead, Broken Heart Syndrome is caused by a sudden and acute life stressor that can enlarge a portion of the heart and disrupt normal blood flow. The severity of that disruption in blood flow dictates the outcome.
The Slings and Arrows of Stress and Emotional Turmoil
The sudden onset of a broken heart can be caused by extreme and usually harsh, unexpected life events such as the sudden loss of a loved one, an unexpected divorce, and a painful betrayal. It can also be caused by an unexpected job loss in which a person suddenly finds themself destitute and facing homelessness.
A Broken Heart Can Disrupt Heart Blood Flow
The physical onset of symptoms begins with acute chest pain, usually caused by the heart going into a dangerous spasm, enlarging, and ultimately causing a disruption or cessation of blood flow.
If the condition is severe enough to cause cardiogenic shock, blood pressure is lost, and death ensues because blood cannot reach one’s vital organs. However, broken heart syndrome is relatively rare and can occur in people with a healthy heart without any prior pathology.
Emotional Health Leads to Physical Health
While not much is known about broken heart syndrome, medical professionals have long believed there is a strong correlation between our emotions and physical health.
While there remains no medical cure for Broken Heart Syndrome, there are preventive actions you can take to minimize the risk by maximizing your physical and emotional wellbeing and reducing stress.
Proven methods include regular exercise, an organic diet, meditation and relaxation.