Falling in love marinates our brain in “feel good” chemicals of its own making. After a breakup or the death of a loved one, the brain stops producing these chemicals, and the body literally suffers from the withdrawal of these feel-good hormones. Therefore, a broken heart feels so difficult and painful to deal with. The person often withdraws in their shell and is pushed into depression.
A person with a broken heart often has episodes of sobbing, rage, and despair. They may not eat or sleep for days and may also neglect their personal hygiene. A few may repress their feelings so that they do not have to face the pain of the loss, which may cause panic, anxiety, and depression a few months later. Some people slip into addictions and rebound relationships to deal with a broken heart.
A broken heart often causes the body to secrete high levels of stress hormones and may even result in electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, giving the feeling of having a heart attack. Fortunately, in most cases, these changes are temporary.
A broken heart can lead a condition to that doctors call “stress-induced cardiomyopathy” or “Takotsubo myopathy.” The condition temporarily enlarges a part of your heart.
What are the signs and symptoms of broken heart syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome is a diagnosis made by doctors. It resembles a heart attack in terms of its signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms can begin within minutes or even hours after the distressing event. They include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Diaphoresis (sweating)
- Dizziness
What causes broken heart syndrome emotionally and physically?
Emotions or physical reactions known as emotional stressors and physical stressors cause broken heart syndrome.
Emotional stressors include:
- Grief
- Fear
- Extreme anger
- Surprise
Physical stressors include:
- High fever
- Stroke
- Seizure
- Difficulty breathing (such as an asthma attack)
- Significant bleeding
- Low blood sugar
Examples of situations that are most commonly found in patients with broken heart syndrome include:
- Learning of the death of a loved one
- Bad financial news
- Legal problems
- Natural disasters (such as floods and earthquakes)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Exacerbation of a chronic medical illness
- Newly diagnosed, significant medical condition
- Surgery
- Intensive care unit (ICU) stay
- Use of or withdrawal from illegal drugs
IMAGES
Heart Illustration Browse through our medical image collection to see illustrations of human anatomy and physiology See ImagesHow to manage a broken heart?
Most often, broken heart syndrome appears suddenly and resolves quickly. However, it is advisable to seek urgent medical care if you feel chest pain or difficulty breathing after stressful events.
After the doctor rules out the possibility of a heart attack, they will give medicines to manage your blood pressure. These may be the ones that directly reduce your blood pressure along with some anti-anxiety or sedative (sleep-inducing) medications.
You may seek counseling to cope with the stress that caused you a broken heart in the first instance.
A broken heart can tremendously affect your mental health. If things are not done to tackle the stress caused by grief, it can eventually land you into actual heart problems. Here are a few things that you can try to heal your broken heart:
- Bounce back and learn to stay happy: Find ways that make you happy. These can be anything. Find your calling. Follow your hobby—singing, dancing, painting, gardening, or anything that you think gives you joy.
- Do physical activities regularly: Physical activities such as exercises and yoga work wonders in lifting your mood. Make an exercise routine and stick to it. Join a yoga class.
- Connect with nature: Taking long walks in the parks and going on a short trip are proven stressbusters.
- Find a support system: Stay connected with people who make you feel good about yourself. You can even find support groups online that have been through the same phase as you. Sharing each other’s experiences in dealing with difficult situations can help you tide over your loss smoothly.
Top What does a broken heart feel like? Related Articles
Men's Secrets
What do men really want you to know about them? For better intimacy, learn these 18 secrets guys wish you Knew about sex, love, and marriage.
Angina: Signs, Symptoms, and What It Feels Like
Angina is chest pain due to inadequate blood supply to the heart. Angina symptoms may include chest tightness, burning, squeezing, and aching. Coronary artery disease is the main cause of angina but there are other causes. Angina is diagnosed by taking the patient's medical history and performing tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood test, stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan, and heart catheterization. Treatment of angina usually includes lifestyle modification, medication, and sometimes, surgery. The risk of angina can be reduced by following a heart healthy lifestyle.
Camzyos (mavacamten)
Camzyos (mavacamten) is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Camzyos reduces left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and can cause heart failure due to systolic dysfunction. Camzyos may cause serious side effects including hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face/lips/tongue/throat, fainting, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction from the heart. Consult your doctor before taking Camzyos if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Early Warning Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
A heart attack occurs when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. Learn about warning signs, causes, complications, risk factors, and treatment.
Heart Attack Prevention Overview
Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack also is a significant cause of heart failure. The process of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) begins early in life. Heart attack prevention should begin in childhood because the atherosclerosis process can not be reversed. The risk of having a heart attack increases if you have diseases or conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions.
Sex & Love Quiz
Relationships, sex, and love! Could it be that what motivates physical attraction in us may be all in our minds? Take the Sex & Love Quiz to challenge yourself on healthy human sexuality!Verquvo (vericiguat)
Verquvo (vericiguat) is a prescription heart medication used in adults who are having symptoms of chronic (long-lasting) heart failure to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. Do not take Verquvo if pregnant or may become pregnant. The most common side effects of Verquvo include low blood pressure and low red blood cells (anemia).