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Subscribe to RSSBroken heart syndrome, is not like a heart attack. A lot of people suffer the syndrome after extreme fear, stress or sorrow. It is most often experienced by women. NBC's Nancy Snyderman reports.
In 2005, Joel Bizon went into Maine Medical Center in Portland for a routine surgery. When the surgeon came out to report that the procedure was a success, Joel's wife Cyndy was relieved. For the next few hours, she sat by the waiting room phone, anxious to be reunited with her husband.
Instead, Cyndy got the news that Joel had taken a turn for the worse and had suffered a heart attack while in recovery.
"I just remember dropping the phone in shock," says Cyndy.
The next few days were a blur. Cyndy set up camp in the hospital, visiting her husband in the cardiac intensive care unit as often as she could. She wasn't eating or sleeping well. Eventually the stress would take a toll on her. Two days into Joel's recovery, Cyndy walked up to the nurses’ station to check in. No one could have predicted what happened next.
"I remember feeling dizzy... and trying to grab the counter. I remember a curtain of black that I couldn't shake away coming down,” Cyndy says.
Head nurse Cathy Palleschi recalls hearing a loud thud. She came out of her office to find Cyndy on the floor and immediately called a code. The team who attended to Cyndy was able to revive her and get her heart back to its normal rhythm within a couple of minutes. But Palleschi says she doesn't think Cyndy would be here today if the episode had occurred elsewhere.
A rush of hormones
Instead of being by her husband’s side as he recovered, Cyndy ended up in the cardiac ICU herself, right across the hall. After ruling out a blockage, a stroke, and an epileptic seizure, doctors determined Cyndy had suffered something called "broken heart" syndrome.
"If someone cuts Joel, I bleed; we are that close. I could understand the stress that I was under, but didn't realize that it could have that kind of an effect on my heart," Cyndy says.
Dr. Ilan Wittstein, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, is part of the team that first coined the term “broken heart” syndrome, also known as stress cardiomyopathy. According to Wittstein, the syndrome got its name because a lot of patients suffer from it after the death of a loved one. But it's not always triggered by grief.
"There's a wide variety of emotions that can cause this," says Wittstein. Extreme fear, anxiety and even being surprised can lead to stress cardiomyopathy, he says. In patients with “broken heart” syndrome, the extreme stress of an event triggers the brain to send a signal to the adrenal glands, located on the kidneys and responsible for regulating stress in the body. The adrenal glands release a surge of hormones that then rush to the heart, essentially paralyzing the muscle and causing it to shut down.
Wittstein says although the symptoms often mimic that of a typical heart attack — chest pain, shortness of breath — “broken heart” syndrome is different. Heart attacks are caused by a blockage, but in “broken heart” syndrome, the muscle of the heart becomes dysfunctional and doesn't squeeze normally. And unlike a classic heart attack, the heart is only temporarily "stunned" and usually recovers with no permanent damage. But Wittstein points out that in severe cases, a patient can end up in heart failure.
“When I’m asked, can you die of a broken heart, I say… absolutely, yes, you can,” says Wittstein.
Registry tracks condition
Wittstein's research has found that up to 90 percent of broken-heart patients are women, most of whom are post-menopausal and over the age of 55. Estrogen improves blood flow to the heart and experts suggest that as women age and levels of the hormone decline, he tissue surrounding their hearts becomes more susceptible to stress hormones. For this reason, a stressful event at age 25 — when estrogen levels are high — may not have the same effect on the heart as later in life, Wittstein says
Dr. Wittstein’s team at Johns Hopkins has set up a stress cardiomyopathy registry. This initiative has been following people with the condition since 1999, in an attempt to get a clearer picture of the features of “broken heart” syndrome. With a broader understanding of the causes and clinical features, doctors can begin to identify particular risk factors and, one day, may be able to intervene early enough to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Cyndy, now 64, and Joel, 63, both fully recovered. They enjoy long walks and golfing, making regular exercise an important part of their lives. They also visit the hospital each year on the anniversary of Cyndy's episode, calling it their "re-birth day." For Cyndy, the most important message of their story is, "to be thankful for every moment that you have because it can be snatched away from you so quickly, without you having any warning."
For more information about the Johns Hopkins University Initiative for Stress Cardiomyopathy go to: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/asc/
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My heart been broke for years, I swore I had a heart attack.
Sorry to hear mz.fiji.
This is why it is soooo very important for people who lose a loved one to get support and not just have people tell them that they will get over it. There are groups, therapists, etc that work with grieving people and often with a little help people can resume a normal life. That doesn't mean someone learns to forget but that someone learns to live with the loss.
I believe this occurs in many people. I had an Uncle who lost my Aunt in May of last year. My Uncle was distraught over her death and past away within two weeks of her death. They had been married for 54 years. I also lost my Grandfather at age 98 within a month of the loss of my Grandmother. They were married for 70 years.
Yeah, it's not the most common things but it definitely happens. My best friend died a few years ago and a short while later her husband died as well. These two had been joined at the hip since they met and I know he just couldn't live without her.
Years ago we had to call the police to break into my father's Aunt & Uncle's home due to non-response and an "odor". Our Aunt was found dead (of natural causes) on the bedroom floor and was estimated to have been there for a week. My Uncle apparently "snapped" and was just going about his business in denial. He died one week to the day of her burial... we had both funerals within a ten day span.
Wait till after this Next Election. All of the Republican TeaBilly Conservatives will be Experiencing "Broken Heart Syndrome" for da another 4 Years.
You BetCha.....Fer Sure.
jstdafacts-Wow, you managed to wait all of four posts from people discussing loved ones who had died, as related to this very informative article, before turning this into a political issue. Great empathy you got there. Obviously you must be suffering from some form of no heart symptom.
In recorded history there have been so many cases of people who have died of "broken hearts".We just didn't understand the physical reasons behind those deaths.The impact which emotions can have on the physical body have long been unknown or under estimated. But the more science investigates, the more we realize the connection between thoughts or emotions and body. Including something as simple as attitude.That is why it's critical for people to reach out to others and take an interest, to be aware of those around you in life, even if the is just simply offering a smile.We can never fully know how important a role we mayplay in the lives and hearts of others.The more support people have from others in life, the better outlooks they have long term should a crisis occur.
Sorry to hear that mzfiji, we've all been there!!
A mother that lost a child to a tragic accident once said that instead of capital punishmant, we should find a way to make the inmate love someone so very very much...then take that person away...the suffering would be much worse than ANY physical punishment could ever be.
Nothing mentioned here about pets, but I swear this is exactly what happened to my Mom's dog. Two years ago, my Mom went from a healthy, spunky, super-sassy 64-year-old to catching a bug that developed into pneumonia which got bad enough to put her in the icu where she suffered for 11 days until passing on.
Besides having it be an overwhelming tragedy for our family, her dog of 13 years, Sophie, died about 7 weeks later, in spite of being babied and very-well cared for when my Mom was alive to then moving to my Mom's best friend's house where she was absolutely worshipped as a part of my Mom herself.
Sophie's passing was very sad, a final blow to us, and no doubt death as a result of a broken heart. That poor little dog drooped when she was allowed to go lay with my Mom in the icu, and she never recovered after that.
I can't even imagine how hard it must be to watch that happen to people-members of a family.
I believe it. I have witnessed as a hospice social worker family pets grieve and on more than one occasion they do not outlive their owner for very long.
I took a 3 week vacation once, and had left my cat Max in the care of family. He and I had never been apart in the 6 years of his life. About a week into my trip, I called home to see how everyone was and I sensed my mother didn't want to tell me something, and my daughter took the phone from her and told me that the day before, they had to take Max to the emergency vet hospital because he was suddenly off his food and drooling and not acting like himself. The vet said it was his heart, that he was in failure and the vet didn't think he would live much longer. My daughter put the phone to his ear and I talked to him for a few minutes, telling him how much I loved him and to get better because I would be home soon. He did recover after I returned.
I swear he thought I had left him forever and that it was his heart breaking. He passed on several years ago; I never left him again and he never had another problem with his heart.
Oh goodness, you reminded me of the time someone I knew had a heart attack years and years ago and her dog would absolutely not leave her side. He wouldn't even drink water until he saw she was recovering. That dog would have given his life for her and I'm sure if she had died he would have too.
When I was a kid, we took ownership of a dog that had been with the same owner for years. I don't quite remember the exact circumstances, but I believe that owner had to be hospitalized for awhile. Within a week in our care, the dog passed away. I've also heard many family stories about pets passing away shortly after their owners. I have no doubt that animals can suffer from the same affliction as people do when someone they care about goes away.
My grandmother had a cat in her later years for companionship. She was getting increasingly house-bound, and getting "Puddy" was great for both her and the cat.
Gram had to go to the hospital for a few overnight stays, the last stay being longer and more serious. Usually if she thought she needed to go to the hospital, she'd call my dad, who lives a few blocks down. This time, she had to call the ambulance. Unfortunately for that stay, she needed to be in for two weeks.
Puddy must have thought Gram was gone for good, because when we checked the house one day, we found him curled up on Gram's bed, dead. Poor Puddy :(
(BTW, we went to the house everyday to play with and feed the cat- Puddy wasn't left alone for two weeks)
These pet stories remind me of when I was very sick 12 years ago. I was bedridden and in and out of the hospital. My cat wouldn't leave my side when I was home and in bed. She wouldn't eat, drink or leave the room. I was pretty close to death for the last month of being sick and I had her food, water and litter moved into the bedroom with me. It was very sweet. To this day, I still call her my angel. I know it sounds cheesy, but there were definitely times when having her near me gave me comfort that nothing else could. She's 18 now, and still a sweetie!
My neighbors were happily married for 61 years. One died of heart disease, and the other "unexpectedly" passed 5 days later. So do I believe in it? Absolutely.
My grandfather visited my grandmother (in hospice) every single day, monday thru sunday, for seven years, sometimes twice a day if we were there. In the eighth year she passed. Six months later so did my grandfather. They had been married over 50 years when she left.
This happened many years ago, but I always think about the timing of his death and how much he loved her...
I lost mine exactly 5 months apart, so I know precisely how it is.
I think you can die of a broken heart when your spouse passes away. The grief seems unbearable and your life totally changes. I don't know what is worse actually passing away or suffering through the grief of your mate passing away. For the dead the pain has stopped. For the living the pain just continues on.
very happy for the outcome of this story,,,,,Cyndy and Joel, I wish you both a long and healthy life together!
My sister's husband passed away, and a few months after that her daughter lost her battle with cancer. It was just a short time later than my completely healthy sister passed away. Yes, a broken heart can kill you.
how come there is no mention of the original name takotsubo syndrome? it is quite interesting where the name came from.
I got curious about your comment -- found this online courtesy of the Mayo Clinic
Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition brought on by stressful situations, such as the death of a loved one. People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they're having a heart attack. These broken heart syndrome symptoms may be brought on by the heart's reaction to a surge of stress hormones. In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart temporarily enlarges and doesn't pump well, while the remainder of the heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions.
The condition was originally called takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Today, it's also referred to as stress cardiomyopathy, stress-induced cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome.
The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are treatable, and the condition usually reverses itself in about a week.
My mom died three weeks ago today on 9/3/12, eleven days after my dad passed on 8/22/12. This article confirms what my entire family believe- Mom may have died of a heart attack but it was a broken heart that was the real cause.
MG726, deepest condolences. So sorry for your loss. May you find peace.
I second abby, Im sorry for your loss.
It depends on your age. When the spouse of an old person dies, the other in many cases is not far behind. It's no coincidence. When you are old, your body is very delicate. A few days of not eating properly or stop drinking adequate fluids can put the body in enough stress to kill that person.
Statistically, for two people in their 60s, this is bound to happen. Given alrge enough sample, you will have bothe a husband and a wife suffering a heart attck almost simultaneously. Conicidental perhaps but NOT necessarily causative.
So, a couple things. Firstly, as stated in the article, this syndrome is NOT a heart attack--its a cardiomyopathy precipitated by acute stress.
Secondly, the close passing of elderly spouses has been well documented, and is more than a statistical anomaly. Could it be due to takotsubo? Possibly...but this syndrome is not often fatal and the majority of the time it spontaneously resolves
ask a lazy Democrat and they will say yes...
Dear 2008, get a life. Why do people need to find anything, whether it's related or not, to take shots at people? Find another blog to express your unrelated problems.
In October 1996 my mother died of a massive heart attack while on vacation with my father in Corpus Christi, TX. She was a month short of turning 60 and two months short of her 41st wedding anniversary. My father had a really difficult accepting her death, he had her cremated in Corpus and brought the ashes back home with him, where they sat on top of his dresser with birthday and anniversary cards. In February 1998 (14 months to the day) my father died in his sleep of a massive heart attack, and he had NO HEART ISSUES. I figure that he finally gave up and decided to go be with my mom. His doctor said it was a heart attack that killed him, but I told the doctor it was a "broken heart" that finally did him in.
A broken heart really can cause the demise of someone, especially when the "love of their life" is the one who left them here alone.
Emotional issues they are talking cause a physiological reaction. I think people need to understand that bad things happen in life, but you can take care of yourself physically which might help prevent the shock to the heart. This may sound cold, but Americans have become so out-of-shape I doubt it would take much for some of them to have heart problems. Take care of yourself, people, and you'll be able to withstand both emotional and physical shocks better.
To my knowledge, being obese/diabetic/hypertensive is not a risk factor for this syndrome. In fact, having clean coronaries, or at least nonobstructive disease is a criterion for diagnosis
It may sound cold but it works. Stay in shape - and find something you love and do it. Not some ONE. Something.
When your wife, the mother of your two children betrays you - tries every trick in the book to keep you from your kids your heart breaks. I never believed a single word about this. 11 years later I can say that like the song "Hearts can break, and never mend together..." it's true. And I guess it could kill.
I ended up with the kids. I raised them. The emotional and financial burden is deep. But there is intense joy as well. But the betrayal? That never goes away.
I honestly give props to ANYONE of older age past their 50's who have to deal with the death of a spouse they have been married to for many years. I worry for my own parents since they are 70 and 68 years old. They do everything together but my dad's diabetes has gotten worse and I wonder whether my mom could ever take my dad passing away. My mom suffers from high blood pressure so this worries me.
Illness, pain and suffering, is not so much what you're eating, but what's eating you!
My life has been riddled with Issues and agony's that could have easily driven me literally into an early grave (and almost did)!
So From my own experience I say : Meditate Often, Love, Hug someone at least once a day (and if they don't know what the hell to do with it when you hug them, hug them Twice!!)! LOLOL
Laugh, smile, flirt, cry (when you feel you must) but above all Live!
Everyone dies (at least their body), not everyone Lives!
Good friends and neighbors near us were married for almost 60 years...he was deaf, she could barely walk but the they held hands all the time and the silent love that passed between them was amazing to behold. She had crossed the street for 40 years in the same place to get the mail each morning and a few months ago a woman who was texting while driving ran up on the sidewalk and hit and killed her while she waited to cross to the mailbox. He died last week...never said a word after they told him.
A true senseless tragedy Allen that could have, and should have been avoided. I am not attempting to be glib, flippant, or fool hearty when I say Thank god and the Universe "she & he" (your Neighbors) are at least together again as they should and most likely always will be.
My husband died unexpectedly and for a solid 6 months, I thought I was having a heart attack. I had a full cardiac work-up and nothing was found--I was put on Lexapro for a year for anxiety--I thought I was the only one who felt this way and commented many times that I can understand how someone can die from a broken heart!!!
I usually have bad chest pains off and on when someone close dies. It happened when both my mom and dad passed. Because it always happens, I never gave it a second thought. Now, I will.
The cut in the rope that binds loved ones, when they choose to slip away can be a lingering very slow death. Choices that people make that cause pain, truly do cause REAL physical hurt.
Ladies, this time I am serious. I am not joking at all.
I have a question for wives, I have never understood my whole life and now I am old.
Please, ladies, you do not need to reply to me but please, do not be nasty or attack me. I am serious and I will keep it this way. Thank you very much in advance. I have been married several times and that is why I ask this. One of my divorces was when I got sick and another when I lost my job.
When the husband dies, what do you miss from him?
Pay check, protection, somebody to change the bulb and mower the lawn, somebody to go with you at social events or what?
We men will die for our woman. Sad case but we saw in the last Aurora tragedy a boy die protecting his girls friend. Is there anything similar on the women side? I try to mean how do you care for your boyfriend or husband? I understand it would be very different.
Thank you very much and respects.
Oh, Zachi, I do believe that many women love this strongly, too. Not all of us have these relationships, that is true. But I've known so many women who went into total tailspins for months, years even, from broken hearts when their boyfriends/spouses left them. And I've known widows who were absolutely devastated when their husbands died. Some remarried eventually, and some could not bring themselves to love another man. It has always touched me that a few widows I've known who remarried continued to keep photos of their first husbands on display, and encouraged their 2nd husbands to keep photos of their first wives on display, too. The story was the same: We loved them, our first spouses, so deeply, and through them we came to be who we are, so we should honor that love and be grateful that our marriages were so happy that we'd want to share life with someone else that way again. It can be that way. Peace to you.
zhachi- I have thankfully not lost my husband, but due to military deployments, I know what it is like to be without him. Yes, of course you miss the little things. You DO miss not having to worry about calling the electrician or mowing the yard. You DO miss having someone to go with to social events. But those are just silly things. What women REALLY miss is the same as what men miss. We miss the companionship, the love, the laughter, having someone to talk to, having someone to lie beside at night, the wonderful feeling of being held by someone who loves you. We miss the PERSON.
As for going to bat and caring for a spouse, there are women EVERYWHERE with husbands who are ill, disabled, or have other problems of the sort. These women care for their husbands around the clock. Google "A love story in 22 pictures." It's recently gone viral and it's a beautiful story of a very true love and a woman caring for her husband. But you don't have to be old or sick or disabled to be cared for. We care for our husbands by being supportive of them, cheering them up when they're in a bad mood, helping them. Basically, women and men, when we are truly in love, do exactly the same things for one another.
Because, when I go to bed at night his is the last thing I want to hold before I fall asleep, He is the one who loves me hell or high water, he is the only one who I have ever met I can stand after a few hours, His humor, the way he touches my body with his hand and it all feels ok. So yes there is securty, and a NEED from him, just as he has a need for me. But truth be told I found a man that I dont feel like a woman without him and I would never want to see the day he is not there with me.
With all due seriousness I believe that after a summer of a half a dozen or so of deaths of lifelong friends, relatives & acquaintences, my 86 year old mother suffered a heart attack 5 days after her 74 year old brother passed from Parkinson's. She eventually succumbed to renal/organ failure 16 days later.
Also earlier that year I know of another person who suffered a fatal heart attack 3 days after her husband passed, sadly that family combined the funerals. So yes I do indeed believe in "broken heart syndrome".
My deepest sympathy to ones who posted comments about lost parents, wives and husbands.
The stories are very sad but true. People just simply do not want to live alone when their loved one dies, it is very hard.