Broken heart syndrome: When emotional stress takes a real toll on your heart

At some point in our lives, most of us have felt the ache of heartbreak; the deep, physical sensation that comes when life delivers a heavy blow. But for some people, that feeling isn’t just emotional. It can cause real, measurable changes in the heart itself.

Broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is a heart condition that often follows intense emotional or physical stress. The word takotsubo is Japanese for “octopus trap,” which describes the balloon-like shape the heart takes on, similar to the traditional Japanese pots used to catch an octopus.

It mimics a heart attack, with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, but unlike a typical heart attack, it’s not caused by clogged arteries. Instead, the heart muscle becomes weakened by a surge of stress hormones, making it difficult to pump blood as it should.

While broken heart syndrome is often temporary, it’s not always harmless.

Why does broken heart syndrome happen

It is thought that the body’s “fight-or-flight” response plays a key role in the development of broken heart syndrome. When you experience an overwhelming event, like the loss of a loved one, a frightening diagnosis or even a major surgery, your body releases a flood of stress hormones such as adrenaline.

In some people, those hormones temporarily stun the heart muscle, especially the lower portion of the left ventricle, altering its shape and motion. The actual mechanism for this is not entirely understood, but it may be caused by a temporary “spasm” of the coronary arteries, induced by this adrenaline surge.

What does broken heart syndrome “look” like?

The symptoms of broken heart syndrome often mirror the symptoms of a heart attack. A person may feel chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, a pounding heartbeat or cold sweats. Because these signs can’t be distinguished from a heart attack without tests, it is recommended to call 911 rather than wait to see if the symptoms pass.

People with broken heart syndrome may show heart damage on imaging or blood tests, but their arteries are clear. A heart catheterization can usually confirm the diagnosis.

Who is most at risk for broken heart syndrome?

For reasons not yet fully understood, broken heart syndrome overwhelmingly affects women, especially postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 70. It is believed that hormonal changes may make the heart more sensitive to adrenaline and other stress hormones, increasing the likelihood of a reaction when emotions run high.

Women aren’t the only ones at risk. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed nearly 200,000 hospitalizations of people with broken heart syndrome between 2016 and 2020. It found that men who developed broken heart syndrome were more likely to face serious complications or death, 11.2% compared with 5.5% of women.

In recent years, the number of cases of people diagnosed with broken heart syndrome has continued to climb, likely due to increased recognition and diagnosis of the condition.  

Treatment and care for your heart in stressful times

If you’ve been diagnosed with broken heart syndrome, the good news is that it is usually temporary, and most people recover completely within a few weeks or months. Treatment focuses on supporting the heart as it heals, often with medications that reduce strain and regulate blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors.

Follow-up care with a cardiologist or your primary care provider is also important, as around 5% of people can experience broken heart syndrome again in later years. Regular heart checkups and stress management strategies can lower that risk.

A heartfelt reminder

Broken heart syndrome shows that our hearts are deeply connected to our experiences, our relationships and the way we carry stress. With timely treatment and follow-up, most people recover fully from broken heart syndrome, both in body and spirit.

Take this quiz to find out your risk for heart disease and connect with a cardiologist today.