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When you lose a person who means the world to you, that loss affects your entire being. The stress, shock, and pain of the loss can be completely overwhelming.
There are many stories of someone who passed away shortly after their spouse or close loved one did. Among the celebrity world, the deaths of Doctor Who star Mary Tamm and her husband, Marcus Ringrose, are a sad example. Tamm lost her battle with cancer in July 2012. Only 12 days later, her husband collapsed and died shortly after delivering her eulogy. There was no medical reason for his death, but he was obviously in a deep state of grief.
What is Broken Heart Syndrome?
When one spouse dies shortly after the other, it’s known as broken heart syndrome. Broken heart syndrome is not a heart attack – technically. When you have a heart attack, the blood flowing to the heart is blocked. The heart tries to pump the blood but the obstruction means it simply can’t work as it should. As a result, the heart muscle is severely damaged.
In broken heart syndrome, medically known as takotsubo syndrome, the blood flow to the heart isn’t blocked. But the heart doesn’t pump the blood properly. In fact, the heart actually changes shape. That change in shape means disrupted blood flow, which can lead to all the symptoms of a heart attack, as well as its deadly consequences.
The name “takotsubo” comes from the Japanese word “tako-tsubo,” which is a fishing device used to catch octopus. The vessel is a clay pot with a wide body and a narrow mouth. When the heart changes shape during broken heart syndrome, it looks very much like this pot.
According to Leaps.org, the heart doesn’t function properly for anywhere from three days to three weeks after the triggering event. And while it’s technically not a heart attack and the heart muscle isn’t permanently damaged, the temporary damage can wreak havoc. The rate of death from broken heart syndrome is actually comparable to that of a heart attack, with up to 5% of patients dying from the attack itself and 20% passing away within the next five years.1
Why Does Stress Change the Heart?
Broken heart syndrome is a bit of a mystery to doctors, but they do know that it often occurs during or following an extremely stressful event.
When that happens, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode. The medical term for this is a catecholamine storm, during which the body dumps massive amounts of those fight-or-flight hormones.
That flood of hormones is very helpful if you are in a potentially deadly situation and your strength or speed makes a difference to survival. But our bodies don’t decipher the difference between a true physical threat and a psychological one, which is why those hormones come coursing through us after a stressful event such as the death of a spouse.
High levels of those hormones for too long can damage systems in the body, including the heart.
A Unique Danger for Caregivers
Being under intense stress before the death of a beloved one might make you more susceptible to broken heart syndrome. For instance, if you are a caregiver to a dying spouse, it’s safe to say that your stress levels are pretty high.
A study in the European Heart Journal found that higher activity in the amygdala region of the brain, which is responsible for emotions and stress response, is linked with an increased risk of broken heart syndrome.2 If you have already been under a great deal of stress for a long period of time, the additional blow of losing your spouse can be enough to tip your body over the edge.
If you are under intense stress, taking care of yourself becomes even more important. Never hesitate to visit your doctor if you feel strange symptoms. Wearing a medical alert bracelet or wristband can also help you feel more secure. If you feel any concerning symptoms at all, don’t hesitate to press the button and get the assistance you need immediately, at any hour of the day or night.
The Ongoing Danger of Broken Heart Syndrome
Perhaps the biggest problem with this condition is that it’s rarely recognized when it happens. There are only 15,000 documented cases of it each year, though that number is likely much higher. That’s because during periods of stress, feeling chest pain and other symptoms of a heart attack might be brushed off as an anxiety attack – which makes sense, given that you’ve just suffered a tremendous loss. The physical manifestation of grief can take many forms.
In addition, the Cleveland Clinic reports that 88% of those who suffer from broken heart syndrome are women.3 Though men also suffer from the syndrome, for them the changing shape of the heart and its affects is usually brought on by intense exercise rather than grief. Women over 50 are by far the largest demographic to experience broken heart syndrome.
That matters because women are more likely to brush heart problems under the rug and continue on with their lives without getting checked out. Part of this is because the symptoms of heart problems in women are much more subtle than they are in men. And when those symptoms do show up, women tend to push them aside to take care of others, especially in times of intense grief.4
In addition to not realizing the problem and getting help right away, there’s the added danger of being more susceptible to it in the future. Broken heart syndrome can strike again in up to 20% of patients, and it can be more severe the second time.
The physical problems brought on by that hormone storm can linger for a while after the episode is over. Though the heart returns to its normal shape within a matter of weeks and begins to function properly again, you might deal with feeling exhausted and anxious. You might suffer from shortness of breath and occasional chest pains for months afterward.
If you suffer from chest pains or the other symptoms of a heart attack at any time, get help immediately. If you have a personal alarm button, use it!
Know the Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome
The American Heart Association says the rates of broken heart syndrome are skyrocketing.5 So how can you protect yourself?
The first and most important step is to pay attention to your body even when dealing with grief. Don’t discount your symptoms as “expected” after suffering a loss. While intense grief can bring on a host of physical symptoms, you should never write off chest pains or other serious concerns. Getting checked out by the doctor if you feel any of the following symptoms can give you peace of mind, and maybe even save your life.
· Sudden, severe chest pain is the top symptom. But keep in mind that in women, pain might show up in their arms, shoulders, jaw, or even their back.
· Shortness of breath is very common among those with broken heart syndrome. This might come on suddenly or you might experience off-and-on bouts of it.
· Irregular heartbeats or heart palpitations are common.
· You might experience low blood pressure and fainting.
· You might feel nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, or utter exhaustion.
And remember, though the term “broken heart syndrome” was coined because the condition is so often seen in times of grief, the stress that causes the issue doesn’t have to be negative. One out of every three or four patients doesn’t experience any apparent stress before the condition begins, and some people actually experience it during times of “happy stress,” such as at weddings.
Since the condition can come on at any time – just like a heart attack can – it’s important to protect yourself. Using a medical alert system with fall detection is a great way to ensure that you have the ability to get help fast at all times. It’s one less thing to worry about when time is of the essence.
