Broken Heart Syndrome is actually called Takotsubo Syndrome. This rare heart condition occurs when a person experiences sudden acute stress that can rapidly weaken the heart muscle. Because we associate stress with two forms, physical or emotional, it became known as Broken Heart Syndrome. Recent research has shown though it actually has no triggers at all in 30% of patients with the condition.

When you experience a stressful event, your body produces hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline as part of the survival mechanisms to stress.

The heart muscle can be overwhelmed by a massive amount of adrenaline that is suddenly produced when you are stressed. Excess adrenaline can cause narrowing of the small arteries that supply the heart with blood, causing a temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart. The adrenaline may also bind to the heart cells directly, causing large amounts of calcium to enter the cells. Excess  of calcium will cause the chemistry of the heart to change and the heart will not be able to beat properly.

The most likely patients to suffer broken heart syndrome are middle-aged woman. The risk of developing the condition increases 5 times over 55 years old. The exact reason is not totally clear, but it is believed that because the female hormone estrogen helps to protect the heart from the harmful effects of adrenaline. As women experience a drop in estrogen with age, the heart is more suspectable to changes by the neurotransmitters such as adrenaline.

Symptoms for Broken Heart Syndrome:

Chest Pain, dizziness and shortness of breath, clammy skin.

What to do?

If you have anyone with the above symptoms we must call 999 and suspect a cardiac event. In the meantime, take the patient history and give any prescribed medications for cardiac conditions according to the instructions. Keep the patient comfortable and warm whilst you wait for the help to arrive.