Heartbreak is not just a mere work of fiction

Often portrayed in books or TV series, it turns out that heartbreak is more than just a work of fiction. Science has proven that the condition commonly referred to as “broken heart syndrome” is very real… 

Imagine your heart shattering into a million pieces like shards of a broken mirror. Or ten thousand needles piercing your chest in an unrelenting onslaught of anguish. A broken heart seems to be one the most painful and dramatic ways to perish… but it’s something that only exists in the movies, right?

Wrong. 

“Heartbreak” does, indeed, exist. This rare condition is known by 3 names: takotsubo cardiomyopathy, stress-induced cardiomyopathy, and most commonly, “broken heart syndrome.” Although seldom fatal, takotsubo cardiomyopathy can cause actual physical harm to the heart. It can be induced by various emotional or stressful events ranging from breakups to the death of loved ones.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Broken heart syndrome was first described by Japanese physicians in 1990. Initially, the physicians diagnosed their patients with heart attacks. However, after further testing, they were unable to locate the signature blood clots that are characteristic of heart attacks. Instead, the physicians found that the hearts of the patients displayed an enlarged left ventricle, which curiously resembled a takotsubo bowl. Therefore, the physicians titled the condition takotsubo cardiomyopathy: takotsubo is the Japanese term for an octopus pot and cardiomyopathy refers to a disease in which the heart muscles weaken and hinder its ability to pump blood.

Cause

The nickname “broken heart syndrome” originates from the condition’s close connection to emotional stress. While a precise cause is yet to be determined, cardiologists believe that it results from stress hormones, such as adrenaline, emitted by the brain. These hormones essentially “stun” the heart and prevent the left ventricle from properly functioning.

Heart Attacks vs. Broken Heart Syndrome

While patients with broken heart syndrome display conditions that closely resemble those with heart attacks, there are a few major differences:

• Individuals display no signs of blockages in the arteries
• Broken heart syndrome involves an unnatural ballooning and movement of the left ventricle 
• Recovery time is rapid (usually within a few days or weeks) while heart attacks require at least a month for a full recovery

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: More than Just a Heart Disease

There is still much to discover about this mysterious condition. Researchers have yet to determine the origin or develop an adequate treatment for takotsubo cardiomyopathy. However, one thing remains certain: perhaps the mind and the heart are more closely linked than we would have ever thought.