Associated symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy causes the same symptoms as a heart attack. There is a sudden onset of severe left-sided chest pain (angina pectoris) which may radiate into the left arm, upper abdomen or jaw. Patients often complain of strong pressure on the chest and shortness of breath (dyspnoea). Cold sweat and feelings of anxiety are also common, and nausea is a relatively common symptom, especially in women.
Therapy of Broken Heart Syndrome
Due to the small number of patients suffering from Broken Heart Syndrome, there are as yet no treatment guidelines for the disease. Due to the severity of the clinical picture and the relatively high risk of complications, in-patient monitoring of the patient is important in any case. Furthermore, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are frequently used in drug therapy.
Beta blockers are intended to protect the heart from the negative influence of stress hormones. ACE inhibitors such as ramipril support the pumping function of the heart, which is limited during the disease. In the first few days, physical protection is essential.
In the course of the disease a slow increase in exercise can then occur. The possibility of rehabilitation treatment can also be considered. Up to now there are no sufficient guidelines for the conventional medical treatment of Broken Heart Syndrome. Similarly, there are no reliable recommendations on the homeopathic side for the treatment of the disease. In general, homeopathic medicine should be used exclusively as a supplement to orthodox medical treatment, if at all, especially for such serious illnesses.
Duration and prognosis of Broken Heart Syndrome
Broken Heart Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening disease, especially in the acute phase – just like heart attacks – and requires close care and monitoring in an inpatient setting. Especially in the first hours after the onset of symptoms, serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmia or heart failure (cardiogenic shock) can occur. Recent studies indicate that even after the acute phase has subsided, increased mortality remains compared to the healthy normal population.
In many patients, the changes in the heart muscle completely disappear within a few weeks. However, the disease is not as harmless overall as previously assumed. Due to the small number of cases, there is no sufficient evidence for the necessity or usefulness of long-term preventive medication after a surviving Broken Heart Syndrome.
However, further studies in the coming years will certainly shed light on this step by step. These articles may also be of interest to you: Heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmiaYes, patients suffering from Broken Heart Syndrome can die from it. Especially in the first hours of the disease, the risk of life-threatening complications is significantly increased.
Complications include cardiac arrhythmia such as ventricular fibrillation or acute heart failure (cardiogenic shock). These complications are life-threatening and in some cases can be lethal despite adequate intensive care treatment. As a rule, the disturbances in the pumping function of the heart completely disappear within weeks and months.
After a few months, patients are usually able to work under full stress again and no longer feel restricted in their performance. However, the psychological consequences should not be underestimated. Patients with Broken Heart Syndrome can – just like patients with a heart attack – have to struggle with anxiety, panic attacks and sleep disorders after such a drastic life-threatening experience.
Recent studies have also shown that patients who have experienced Broken Heart Syndrome have an increased risk of cardiac (heart related) or cerebrovascular (blood flow to the brain) complications. People after a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy therefore have an increased morbidity (incidence of disease) and mortality (mortality) compared to the healthy normal population.
