The end of summer often sees a spike in relationship turbulence, with summer romances coming to an end and the school holidays putting extra strain on family dynamics. However, in the face of a breakup people might dismiss urgent cardiac symptoms as a side effect of their emotions.
Intense emotional stress can affect your heart, in some cases potentially even causing the rare but very real Broken Heart Syndrome which can mimic a heart attack but it’s impossible to tell the difference without a medical assessment. One doctor urged people to learn the signs that their heart is struggling under the stress and when to medical help. Dr Karen Faulkner, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, warned: “If you experience sudden chest pain, breathlessness or a racing heartbeat, don’t assume it’s ‘just heartbreak’, call 999 immediately.”
She continued: “Emotional distress after a breakup is normal, but if physical symptoms develop, particularly chest pain or feeling faint, seek urgent medical assessment rather than trying to wait it out.”
Dr Faulkner recommended that anyone facing intense and overwhelming stress after the end of a relationship focus on prioritising sleep, eating well and staying connected to loved ones.
She continued: “Late summer can be an emotionally challenging time for many people. We see relationships coming to an end after family holidays, summer romances drawing to a close and people making significant life decisions as routines return to normal. While almost everyone experiences heartbreak without lasting physical effects, intense emotional stress can, in rare cases, temporarily weaken the heart muscle.
“Broken heart syndrome produces symptoms that are almost identical to a heart attack, including sudden chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations and dizziness. It’s impossible to tell the difference without urgent medical assessment, which is why nobody should ever assume it’s simply stress or anxiety.”
Broken heart syndrome is most commonly triggered by the end of a long-term relationship, whether through break ups or bereavement, and causes the heart’s main chamber to change shape, making the entire muscle weaker and diminishing its ability to pump blood.
Some of the top symptoms of broken heart syndrome according to the British Heart Foundation including a sudden and intense chest pain, pressure or heaviness on the chest and shortness of breath. Less common signs may include palpitations, feeling faint or being sick.
The condition is also known as takotsubo syndrome and experts aren’t entirely sure why it occurs. Although the top theory is that the rush of stress hormones caused by overwhelming emotions puts enough stress on the heart to cause damage.
The condition is usually temporary and most people recover within a few months once the body learns to cope and move through the stress. Some people may also need medications during this time like diuretics, beta blockers or blood thinners.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
