Have you ever felt “prickles” in your heart or a terrible pain that made you scared with that strong sensation?
Pain in the heart due to emotional problems, also known as “broken heart syndrome” either “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, has been the subject of medical research in recent years. This article will review some of the most recent research exploring the causes and mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Broken heart syndrome is a temporary condition in which the heart experiences acute dysfunction, usually after an intense emotional experience, such as trauma, loss, or surprise. Symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. Although this condition can be serious, it usually has no long-term consequences.
A study published in the journal “European Heart Journal” in 2020 found that broken heart syndrome is associated with increased activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are responsible for the body’s response to stress. Researchers found that people with broken heart syndrome had higher levels of certain proteins and hormones related to the stress response compared to people who did not have it. This finding suggests that intense emotional stress may trigger a physiological response that contributes to the development of broken heart syndrome.
Other study published in “Nature Reviews Cardiology” in 2021 suggests that the body’s inflammatory response may play a role in the development of broken heart syndrome. Researchers found that people with this condition had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood compared to people who didn’t have it. Additionally, they found that administration of anti-inflammatory drugs reduced the severity of broken heart syndrome in animal models.
A systematic review of studies published in the “Journal of the American Heart Association” in 2021 found that exposure to stressful situations, such as the loss of a loved one or a natural disaster, was associated with an increased risk of broken heart syndrome. The review also suggests that broken heart syndrome is more common in women and in people over 50 years of age.
In conclusion, current research suggests that intense emotional stress and the body’s inflammatory response may contribute to the development of broken heart syndrome. However, more studies are still needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this condition and develop more effective treatments.
Importantly, if you experience chest pain or other heart-related symptoms, you should always seek medical attention immediately to rule out any serious conditions. Additionally, if you believe you are experiencing intense emotional stress, it is advisable to speak with a mental health professional to seek help and properly manage your emotions.
In short, broken heart syndrome is a temporary condition that can occur after an intense emotional experience. Current research suggests that intense emotional stress and the body’s inflammatory response may contribute to its development. However, more studies are still needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this condition and develop more effective treatments. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing heart-related symptoms and to seek professional help if you are experiencing severe emotional stress.
Bibliographic references:
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Lyon, A.R., Bossone, E., Schneider, B., & Sechtem, U. (2020). Current state of knowledge on Takotsubo syndrome: a Position Statement from the Taskforce on Takotsubo Syndrome of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. European Heart Journal, 41(33), 3147-3153.
- Templin, C., Ghadri, JR, Diekmann, J., & Bataiosu, D.R. et al. (2021). Inflammatory biomarkers in Takotsubo syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 18(1), 47-59.
- Santoro, F., Brunetti, N.D., & Tarantino, N. et al. (2021). Impact of stress-induced cardiomyopathy on cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(5), e019207.