Overview

Broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition can also be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery. It may also be called stress cardiomyopathy, takotsubo cardiomyopathy or apical ballooning syndrome.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they’re having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects just part of the heart, temporarily disrupting your heart’s normal pumping function. The rest of the heart continues to function normally or may even have more forceful contractions.

The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are treatable, and the condition usually reverses itself in days or weeks.
Symptoms

Broken heart syndrome symptoms can mimic a heart attack. Common symptoms include:

Chest pain Shortness of breath

Any long-lasting or persistent chest pain could be a sign of a heart attack, so it’s important to take it seriously and call 911 if you experience chest pain.

Causes

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is unclear. It’s thought that a surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, might temporarily damage the hearts of some people. How these hormones might hurt the heart or whether something else is responsible isn’t completely clear.

A temporary constriction of the large or small arteries of the heart has been suspected to play a role. People who have broken heart syndrome may also have a difference in the structure of the heart muscle.

Broken heart syndrome is often preceded by an intense physical or emotional event. Some potential triggers of broken heart syndrome are:

The death of a loved one A frightening medical diagnosis Domestic abuse Losing — or even winning — a lot of money Strong arguments A surprise party Public speaking Job loss or financial difficulty Divorce Physical stressors, such as an asthma attack, COVID-19 infection, a broken bone or major surgery

It’s also possible that some drugs, rarely, may cause broken heart syndrome by causing a surge of stress hormones. Drugs that may contribute to broken heart syndrome include:

Epinephrine (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr.), which is used to treat severe allergic reactions or a severe asthma attack Duloxetine (Cymbalta), a medication given to treat nerve problems in people with diabetes, or as a treatment for depression Venlafaxine (Effexor XR), a treatment for depression Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl), a drug given to people whose thyroid glands don’t work properly Unprescribed or illegal stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine more… https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

ohhhhohhhhohhh

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

Are we just quoting weird song lyrics now?

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

I don’t understand this, Woodie.

I also don’t understand the relevance of the thread title to the stuff about Broken Heart Syndrome.

I’m probably just a stupid geologist…

Rule 303 said:

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

Are we just quoting weird song lyrics now?

Yep. how can you stop the rain from falling down?

Michael V said:

I’m probably just a stupid geologist…

but we still love you.

sarahs mum said:

Rule 303 said:

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

Are we just quoting weird song lyrics now?

Yep. how can you stop the rain from falling down?

Well, no. It does, and I can’t. I would’ve like to today, but.

JudgeMental said:

Michael V said:

I’m probably just a stupid geologist…

but we still love you.

Well, that’s nice, thank you.

Many doctors recommend long-term treatment with beta blockers or similar medications that block the potentially damaging effects of stress hormones on the heart. Recognizing and managing stress in your life also may help prevent broken heart syndrome, though there’s currently no evidence to prove this.

la la la la – la

sarahs mum said:

Rule 303 said:

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

Are we just quoting weird song lyrics now?

Yep. how can you stop the rain from falling down?

Bellow at the firmament “Looks like the rains are here to stay”.

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

Rule 303 said:

Are we just quoting weird song lyrics now?

Yep. how can you stop the rain from falling down?

Bellow at the firmament “Looks like the rains are here to stay”.

I wish it would rain

JudgeMental said:

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

Yep. how can you stop the rain from falling down?

Bellow at the firmament “Looks like the rains are here to stay”.

I wish it would rain

I wish it was T-shirt weather

Rule 303 said:

JudgeMental said:

Rule 303 said:

Bellow at the firmament “Looks like the rains are here to stay”.

I wish it would rain

I wish it was T-shirt weather

And I was bowling to Victor Trumper

Younger days. I remember something.

I’d been up on Willans Hill. In the quarry. There’d been rain. Lots of ponds. Frogspawn, then tadpoles, then froglets. I caught 104 of them. I stuffed them into my two pockets and brought them home I was so proud of counting to 104 and watching the changes. I was beaten with a stick. I was four years old.

Michael V said:

Younger days. I remember something.

I’d been up on Willans Hill. In the quarry. There’d been rain. Lots of ponds. Frogspawn, then tadpoles, then froglets. I caught 104 of them. I stuffed them into my two pockets and brought them home I was so proud of counting to 104 and watching the changes. I was beaten with a stick. I was four years old.

a ptsd type of beating?

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

Younger days. I remember something.

I’d been up on Willans Hill. In the quarry. There’d been rain. Lots of ponds. Frogspawn, then tadpoles, then froglets. I caught 104 of them. I stuffed them into my two pockets and brought them home I was so proud of counting to 104 and watching the changes. I was beaten with a stick. I was four years old.

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

Younger days. I remember something.

I’d been up on Willans Hill. In the quarry. There’d been rain. Lots of ponds. Frogspawn, then tadpoles, then froglets. I caught 104 of them. I stuffed them into my two pockets and brought them home I was so proud of counting to 104 and watching the changes. I was beaten with a stick. I was four years old.

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

Michael V said:

Woodie said:

I can think of younger days when living for my life was everything a man could want to do. I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow.

I don’t understand this, Woodie.

I also don’t understand the relevance of the thread title to the stuff about Broken Heart Syndrome.

I’m probably just a stupid geologist…

Here ya go, Mr V.

Bee Gees.

How can you mend a broken heart”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpZuAtwDfag

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

Younger days. I remember something.

I’d been up on Willans Hill. In the quarry. There’d been rain. Lots of ponds. Frogspawn, then tadpoles, then froglets. I caught 104 of them. I stuffed them into my two pockets and brought them home I was so proud of counting to 104 and watching the changes. I was beaten with a stick. I was four years old.

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

Pretty sure it doesn’t exist to 4yos now – They just know it’s scary and it hurts.

Rule 303 said:

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

Pretty sure it doesn’t exist to 4yos now – They just know it’s scary and it hurts.

…and to keep a safe distance between themselves and their primary carers, who will hurt them. Not good.

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

Yeah, well.

I talk to mum every few weeks. I know she did the best she could, because she was an inexperienced mother with a “spare the rod – spoil the the child” upbringing. Her upbringing was worse than mine. I never bring this stuff up.

Rule 303 said:

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

Pretty sure it doesn’t exist to 4yos now – They just know it’s scary and it hurts.

Yep.

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

sarahs mum said:

a ptsd type of beating?

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

I wont bore you with my experiences. MrsRule tells me I do still have the marks on the legs and upper back, visible after a hot shower. I recall that I never understood the depth of the abuse until 30 years later, when in similar situations with our kids, I found myself overwhelmed by pathos.

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

Michael V said:

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

Pretty sure it doesn’t exist to 4yos now – They just know it’s scary and it hurts.

…and to keep a safe distance between themselves and their primary carers, who will hurt them. Not good.

No, they don’t learn that. They learn that they have no choice.

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

I wont bore you with my experiences. MrsRule tells me I do still have the marks on the legs and upper back, visible after a hot shower. I recall that I never understood the depth of the abuse until 30 years later, when in similar situations with our kids, I found myself overwhelmed by pathos.

OH.
Huggy emoticon.

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

Michael V said:

Maybe these days we might think of it that way. As a four-year old in 1958, that notion did not eaxsit.

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

I wont bore you with my experiences. MrsRule tells me I do still have the marks on the legs and upper back, visible after a hot shower. I recall that I never understood the depth of the abuse until 30 years later, when in similar situations with our kids, I found myself overwhelmed by pathos.

Not passing on crap from previous generations is a Good Thing. Even one bit of crap. The rest is for them to work out.

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

Pretty sure it doesn’t exist to 4yos now – They just know it’s scary and it hurts.

…and to keep a safe distance between themselves and their primary carers, who will hurt them. Not good.

No, they don’t learn that. They learn that they have no choice.

They do learn that, and will try to devise ways of avoiding interaction that could result in punishment.

That’s why their parents punish them – to condition them to restrict their behaviour to whatever won’t get a belting.

sarahs mum said:

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

I remember my mother beating the shit out of me with the razor strop. I think was 6. I never trusted her after that. Ever. I’d flnch before she touched me.

I wont bore you with my experiences. MrsRule tells me I do still have the marks on the legs and upper back, visible after a hot shower. I recall that I never understood the depth of the abuse until 30 years later, when in similar situations with our kids, I found myself overwhelmed by pathos.

OH.
Huggy emoticon.

Eh, you know the story – Chicks dig scars.

;-)

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

…and to keep a safe distance between themselves and their primary carers, who will hurt them. Not good.

No, they don’t learn that. They learn that they have no choice.

They do learn that, and will try to devise ways of avoiding interaction that could result in punishment.

That’s why their parents punish them – to condition them to restrict their behaviour to whatever won’t get a belting.

The parents who cause the real harm are not that systematic, mate. Their brand of discipline is not predictable.

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

No, they don’t learn that. They learn that they have no choice.

They do learn that, and will try to devise ways of avoiding interaction that could result in punishment.

That’s why their parents punish them – to condition them to restrict their behaviour to whatever won’t get a belting.

The parents who cause the real harm are not that systematic, mate. Their brand of discipline is not predictable.

I would imagine that the children of those parents would try to build even stronger walls between themselves and their “carers”.

They’ll fail, but they’ll try to build them.

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

They do learn that, and will try to devise ways of avoiding interaction that could result in punishment.

That’s why their parents punish them – to condition them to restrict their behaviour to whatever won’t get a belting.

The parents who cause the real harm are not that systematic, mate. Their brand of discipline is not predictable.

I would imagine that the children of those parents would try to build even stronger walls between themselves and their “carers”.

They’ll fail, but they’ll try to build them.

No need to imagine – just ask someone who’s been through it. If they’re lucky, they might not remember the occasions where their only source of safety and comfort in the world was the person who was hurting them.

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

Rule 303 said:

The parents who cause the real harm are not that systematic, mate. Their brand of discipline is not predictable.

I would imagine that the children of those parents would try to build even stronger walls between themselves and their “carers”.

They’ll fail, but they’ll try to build them.

No need to imagine – just ask someone who’s been through it. If they’re lucky, they might not remember the occasions where their only source of safety and comfort in the world was the person who was hurting them.

Empathy.

I think of the younger dryas

this broken heart stuff is hard.

sarahs mum said:

this broken heart stuff is hard.

I’m more worried about my liver.

Bubblecar said:

sarahs mum said:

this broken heart stuff is hard.

I’m more worried about my liver.

I’d probably be scared if I had your liver.

JudgeMental said:

I think of the younger dryas

Many people revert to memories of their youth when dementia creeps in.

sibeen said:

JudgeMental said:

I think of the younger dryas

Many people revert to memories of their youth when dementia creeps in.

old memories are the best memories. none of this new fangled stuff for me.

sarahs mum said:

this broken heart stuff is hard.

It’s an experience that some people have. Reconciliation comes easier when you understand the causes, the drivers, and the (usually) entirely external nature of the influences. Acknowledging that, even with the best intentions in the world, people make mistakes, also helps.

I can be flippant about this, and remind you that as an emergency guy, human failure is my bread an butter. I can even find dark humour in trauma. That doesn’t mean I countenance suffering.

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

this broken heart stuff is hard.

It’s an experience that some people have. Reconciliation comes easier when you understand the causes, the drivers, and the (usually) entirely external nature of the influences. Acknowledging that, even with the best intentions in the world, people make mistakes, also helps.

I can be flippant about this, and remind you that as an emergency guy, human failure is my bread an butter. I can even find dark humour in trauma. That doesn’t mean I countenance suffering.

I’m glad you turned out strong. Better than turning out crazy. :)

sarahs mum said:

Rule 303 said:

sarahs mum said:

this broken heart stuff is hard.

It’s an experience that some people have. Reconciliation comes easier when you understand the causes, the drivers, and the (usually) entirely external nature of the influences. Acknowledging that, even with the best intentions in the world, people make mistakes, also helps.

I can be flippant about this, and remind you that as an emergency guy, human failure is my bread an butter. I can even find dark humour in trauma. That doesn’t mean I countenance suffering.

I’m glad you turned out strong. Better than turning out crazy. :)

Yeah, being crazy seems hectic.