If you are anything like me and you are a hopeless romantic who has watched films like The Notebook on repeat, you may already know that it is in fact true that it is possible to die of a broken heart. In medical terms the medical condition is known as ‘Takotsubo Syndrome’ or more commonly referred to as ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ for none medical personnel which was diagnosed by the Japanese in 1990.
According to nhs.uk website with extensive research that has been carried out on the medical condition, confirms that in most cases it will not be fatal but sadly it can lead to be. The condition is caused by a muscle heart failure commonly triggered by certain or multiple stressful events that have occurred in someone’s personal life. There are in fact a number of various reasons this medical condition can effect a person from negative to positive events such as a break up, a physical injury, an unexpected surprise piece of big positive news or of course the obvious due to a loved one who as unexpectedly passed away. All of these outcomes can send shockwaves and excruciating pain internally through that individual’s body causing strain and pressure on the heart which in tern causes the heart to weaken and change shape.
The medical condition which commonly starts with server and sudden chest pain can also be very similar and often gets mistaken for anther common medical condition, a heart attack. Shortness of breathe and abnormal heart rhythms also known as arrhythmia where your heart can either beat to fast or to slow or it may skip a beat are also common symptoms a person can experience. According to John Hopkins Medicine the symptoms can start to surface from within minutes up to hours after the event.
The condition can be diagnosed simply by testing which can be easily carried out via various methods such as a urine test, blood test, cardiac MRI or an ultra scan. When it comes to the recovery process, the heart is a muscle and has been known to heal itself
th December 2016 reportedly led to her mother passing away a day later on the 28th December. The passing was too much to handle according to various reports and caused Debbie’s death by Broken Heart Syndrome the following day. Ms Reynolds was and had been suffering many health issues for many years but it was confirmed by the Lennox Hill Hospital that the cause of death was by a heart attack, but it has not been officially confirmed as a broken heart due to her daughters passing which in this case looks highly likely.
So the reality is true, we are all the loving kind and can be a victim of a broken heart syndrome although it maybe rare.
If anyone feels they are experiencing any of these symptoms or around someone who has expressed similar symptoms call 999 to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. To seek and read further medical advice on this condition you can visit www.nhs.co.uk to learn more.
however if you have any heart abnormalities this is when treatment is needed to help the heart recover as much as possible. Whilst it is known most patients do recover normally within weeks depending on the severity of the impact on the heart and health issues that may be present within an individual. Patients who suffer from any of the various effects the disease can cause can be life-threatening, either way it is best to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
According to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative care woman are more likely to be affected by the condition in comparison to men and woman in particular over the age of 50. The reasoning for this is due to the heart not being able to recover quite as quickly in comparison to a younger heart.
Debra Reynolds the mother of actress Carrie Fisher whose untimely passing on 27
