PROF GOLAM NABI

A broken heart is often dismissed as a metaphor for emotional pain, but emerging medical evidence reveals it can be a life-threatening cardiac condition. Known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome”, the disorder is increasingly recognised by clinicians worldwide as a serious yet often misunderstood disease.

Typically triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, the condition mimics a classic heart attack. Patients may present with sudden chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, or even fainting - symptoms that demand urgent medical attention. However, unlike a conventional myocardial infarction, coronary arteries usually appear normal upon angiography, creating diagnostic challenges for physicians.

At its core, broken heart syndrome is linked to a surge of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones, essential in normal physiological responses, can overwhelm the heart when released in excess. Events such as bereavement, divorce, financial distress, academic failure, or major illness can act as triggers, causing temporary weakening of the heart muscle.

The condition predominantly affects post-menopausal women, accounting for nearly 80 to 90 per cent of reported cases. Reduced oestrogen levels are believed to make the heart more vulnerable to stress-induced damage. While men are less frequently affected, studies indicate that mortality rates are significantly higher among male patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses or severe physical stress.

Despite its reversible nature, the syndrome is far from benign. Research suggests in-hospital mortality rates of approximately 6.5 per cent, with complications including heart failure, stroke, and cardiac arrest. These findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention.

Treatment typically involves supportive care in a hospital setting. Encouragingly, most patients recover fully within one to two months, though close follow-up remains essential.

As awareness grows, experts stress the need to recognise the profound link between emotional wellbeing and physical health. What was once dismissed as poetic exaggeration is now a clinical reality which reminds us that heartbreak, in its most literal sense, can indeed be dangerous.

The writer is the Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine at ZH Sikder Women’s Medical College & Hospital. Email: lotus_pharma75@yahoo.com