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Manhattan Cardiology
Heart Attack Or The Effects of Emotional Stress?

Did you know that feeling an intense amount of stress can change the shape of your heart? The heart’s reaction to a surge of stress hormones can cause the left ventricle to stretch and temporarily disrupt the heart’s normal pumping function. It can feel like you are having a heart attack but it’s actually a condition called Broken Heart Syndrome.

Studies have shown that cases of Broken Heart Syndrome have been on the rise, specifically in middle-aged women. The stress of the pandemic is certainly to blame, but other events such as the death of a loved one, job loss, divorce, or even a surprise party can trigger it.

What steps can you take to avoid Broken Heart Syndrome?

  • Accept that you will grieve
  • Find a caring support group (family, friends, ect)
  • Take care of your physical self, this will help emotionally
  • See full list here

The good news is with a proper diagnoses and a treatment plan, this condition can go away.