Damaged coronary heart syndrome feels like one thing out of a romance novel. However it’s a bona fide medical situation that appears like a full-blown coronary heart assault—and analysis reveals it’s particularly frequent in postmenopausal ladies. Right here, consultants make clear the damaged coronary heart syndrome signs you shouldn’t ignore and the way the situation is handled.

What’s damaged coronary heart syndrome?

“Broken heart syndrome involves a weakening of the heart muscle, typically after an acute stressor,” notes Ahmad Takawol, MD, heart specialist and damaged coronary heart syndrome skilled at Mass Basic Brigham. Often known as takotsubo syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, it often happens following an intense emotional occasion corresponding to a romantic breakup or the loss of life of a cherished one. 

However optimistic occasions like shock events and successful a on line casino jackpot are additionally documented triggers, as are bodily stressors corresponding to stroke and septic shock (a life-threatening blood an infection). 

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Although the mechanisms behind damaged coronary heart syndrome aren’t clearly understood, consultants imagine a sudden surge of adrenaline and different stress hormones is an underlying wrongdoer. “In response to adrenaline and adrenaline-like compounds, microscopic blood vessels in the heart constrict,” explains Dr. Takawol. 

And in line with Adjoa Boateng Evans, MD, MPH, crucial care anesthesiologist at Duke College Faculty of Medication, surging stress hormones can have direct poisonous results on the guts itself. The end result: “The heart not only loses its strength, it changes its shape so that the tip of the heart actually bulges or balloons outward,” Dr. Takowol notes.

Who’s most in danger?

Not everybody who’s uncovered to intense bodily or emotional stress develops damaged coronary heart syndrome—and once more, consultants aren’t positive why. Some research recommend damaged coronary heart syndrome has a genetic part, whereas others point out despair and anxiousness are threat elements. 

Plus, drops in estrogen that happen resulting from menopause could go away ladies extra susceptible to the syndrome. The truth is, a report within the journal Cureus estimates that 90 p.c of instances happen in postmenopausal ladies.

“Most patients have a full recovery, and oftentimes pretty quickly.” —Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, FACC

Damaged coronary heart syndrome signs to observe for

Damaged coronary heart syndrome isn’t a coronary heart assault, because it’s not marked by blockages in coronary arteries. However its signs carefully mimic these of a coronary heart assault—and it may be not possible for sufferers to inform the distinction. 

“As a patient, you’re aware that something serious is going on,” says Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, FACC, chair of inside Medication at Burnett Faculty of Medication. “It feels like you’re in a death experience.” And since each circumstances can have critical penalties, it’s essential to name 911 and get rapid medical consideration if you happen to expertise the next signs:

Chest ache
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or fainting
Coronary heart palpitations
Sweating
Pale pores and skin
Nausea and/or vomiting

Whereas the signs are the identical, one clue that you just is likely to be experiencing damaged coronary heart syndrome as a substitute of a coronary heart assault is if you happen to’ve just lately suffered intense emotional or bodily stress. However once more, solely a physician could make that analysis, and also you’ll nonetheless want pressing medical care.

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How damaged coronary heart syndrome is identified and handled

As a result of signs of damaged coronary heart syndrome are so laborious to tell apart from these of a coronary heart assault, correct analysis includes a collection of medical exams. Some to count on:

An EKG to evaluate the guts’s rhythms
Blood exams that examine for elevated cardiac enzymes
Imaging corresponding to echocardiogram to evaluate the perform and form of the guts and its chambers
Cardiac catheterization or coronary angiography to determine blockages in coronary arteries

“When we find the combination of no blockages in the large blood vessels but abnormal heart function, that leads us to the diagnosis of broken heart syndrome,” Dr. Tawakol explains.

Therapy of the syndrome focuses on supporting the guts so it may well relaxation and get well. “We often give drugs to quiet down the impact of adrenaline, such as beta-blockers,” he says. “And while the heart is not moving well, we’ll also give other medicines to improve the pressures around the heart—for example, ACE inhibitors.” 

And although some individuals with damaged coronary heart syndrome might have a keep within the intensive care unit and extra therapy, Dr. Evans notes that sufferers often get well inside one to 2 weeks.

Are you able to die from damaged coronary heart syndrome?

“It’s possible, depending on how significant the shock to the heart is,” says Dr. Sathyamoorthy. Certainly, a 2025 examine within the Journal of the American Coronary heart Affiliation discovered that damaged coronary heart syndrome was deadly in 6.5 p.c of instances. Plus, main issues of the syndrome included congestive coronary heart failure, atrial fibrillation, strokes and coronary heart assaults. 

For extra coronary heart well being content material

Intermittent Fasting and Coronary heart Illness: Shocking Dangers, Advantages and What Docs Say

The Largest Coronary heart Well being Issues For Ladies Over 50—And the Finest Physician-Backed Methods to Deal with Them

Can You Reverse Coronary heart Illness? 5 Physician-Authorized Methods to Enhance Coronary heart Well being

This content material is just not an alternative to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. At all times seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any therapy plan.