Broken-Heart
Syndrome (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy) is a weakening of the left ventricle, the
heart's main pumping chamber, usually as the result of severe emotional or
physical stress, such as a sudden illness, the loss of a loved one, a serious
accident, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake. The main symptoms are
chest pain and shortness of breath.
Takotsubo
Cardiomyopathy was first described in Japan in the 1990’s. More than 90% of reported cases are in women
ages 58 to 75. Research suggests that up to 5% of women evaluated for a heart
attack actually have this disorder,
which has only recently been reported in the United States and may go largely
unrecognized. Most people recover rapidly with no long-term heart damage. A takotsubo
is a pot used by Japanese fishermen to trap octopuses. Below are ten symptoms
of broken heart syndrome to be aware of.
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Below are ten
symptoms of broken heart syndrome to be aware of:
Angina Pains in the chest are often very
alarming. After all, the chest is where the heart is located and a problem with
the heart is usually something to be very concerned about. Not all such pains
are something to worry about, though even if they might appear similar to
something like a heart attack. Angina is a pain that is the result of a
reduction in the flow of blood to the heart. While it may sound dangerous, it
is not usually something to be concerned about in itself. It should not be
taken lightly and medical assistance should be sought so you can find the
cause.
Arrhythmia Usually, our hearts will beat at a
slow and steady pace. The pace can vary slightly from person to person but,
still, the pace at which it beats is usually steady. If your heartbeat is not
regular then it is a sign that something may be wrong. Indeed, an irregular
heartbeat is a sign that you may be suffering from broken heart syndrome. An
irregular heartbeat is known technically in the medical profession as
arrhythmia. In many cases, the patient will be able to feel the condition as
heart palpitations. While it is not necessarily dangerous, it is still
something that should be treated seriously.
Cardiogenic Shock Cardiogenic
shock is a condition where the heart is not able to pump properly. It is caused
when the cells of the heart are effectively stunned by an increase in stress
hormones flowing through the body. Cardiogenic shock will usually pass within a
few days or so with no permanent damage being done. This condition will mean
that the heart is unable to supply the body with all the oxygen that it needs.
It tends to affect just one part of the heart directly, although other parts
might also be affected as a result. It is something that should be monitored by
a medical professional.
Fainting Most of you will have fainted at
some point. You start feeling dizzy and the next thing you know you are picking
yourself up off the floor. It can be caused by many things, ranging from an
unpleasant surprise to something more physically serious. Fainting is one potential
symptom of broken heart syndrome. Fainting is often a defense mechanism. The
brain must be supplied with sufficient oxygen at all costs. When there is
insufficient oxygen to go around, the body will start to shut off to direct
oxygen to where it is needed most. This includes shutting off some parts of the
brain, causing you to faint.
Heart Failure Heart failure
is different from a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the supply of
blood to the heart is stopped, whereas heart failure means that the heart is
unable to pump blood as well as it should. This can be down to various
conditions such as problems with the heart’s muscle to blockages in the body’s
blood vessels. Heart failure is often treated with medication and patients may
suffer with it for several years. It will often get gradually worse,
potentially becoming very dangerous for the patient. Thankfully, people
suffering from broken heart syndrome are likely to make a full recovery.
Low Blood Pressure It is important
that our blood is pumped around the body at the right pressure. Blood pressure
should not be too high, while it is also important to prevent it being too low.
People that are suffering from broken heart symptom will often find that their
blood pressure is too low. If your blood pressure is not high enough then there
will not be enough power to force it around the body. This is a condition that
will need to be addressed to prevent potentially serious complications from
arising. A doctor will often prescribe medication to help remedy the problem.
Nausea With just about any type of illness,
there’s a fairly good chance that you could develop nausea. Nausea is rarely
considered to be serious because it is such a common symptom. Regardless, it is
still something that could point to an underlying illness or condition that is
a cause for concern. If you are experiencing nausea, there is also a good
chance that you will experience vomiting. Vomiting is another symptom that can
lead to malnutrition and other problems. If you have been experiencing nausea
and vomiting for some time then you really should make an appointment with a
medical professional.
Shortness of Breath The
cardiovascular system consists of several components and they all work together
to help supply the body with oxygen. As with all well-oiled machines, if one
part begins to falter then the others can experience problems also. If the
heart begins to falter, then the lungs may be called into action to make up for
it. Broken heart syndrome can lead to less oxygen flowing through the body. As
a result, patients will often feel short of breath as the body tries to draw
more oxygen into the body. An oxygen mask is sometimes used to help the patient
breathe more comfortably.
Sweating The purpose of perspiration is
usually to help you regulate our body temperature. At other times it can help you
to purge toxins and impurities out of our body. In some cases, it can also be a
result of an illness or a condition. Patients with broken heart syndrome will
often experience uncontrolled sweating. If you are sweating unusually then you
really should try and get it checked out. Deodorants and antiperspirants may be
able to disguise it to a degree but even if they do, they do not actually make
the problem go away. Not only can it be embarrassing but excess sweating can
also be an indicator of a serious underlying problem.
Weakness Oxygen is important for many things.
One reason we need it so much is that it helps you to generate the energy that
we need. It helps to provide fuel for our muscles, and you will notice how you
need to take on more oxygen after you have been exercising. With your heart not
working as effectively as it should, your body finds it harder to generate the
energy that it needs. This can lead to you feeling unusually weak, even if we
are otherwise strong and healthy. Unexplained weakness can be caused by a
variety of illnesses and you should arrange to get it checked out.
“My heart was taken by you,
broken by you, and now it’s in pieces because of you.” (PureLoveQuotes.com)[i]
[i] Sources used:
· “10 Broken Heart Syndrome Symptoms” By James
Roberts
·
“Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken-heart syndrome)”
by Harvard Women’s Health Watch
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