Can you die of a broken heart?
Rita Watson/ Providence Journal, March 12, 2012 Thrive Section
Whether or not you are a devotee of “Downton Abbey,” a PBS Masterpiece Classic, you have heard of the broken-heart syndrome. In a memorable scene, Matthew Crawley, the heir presumptive to the estate, and his former love find themselves locked in a passionate kiss.
After learning that his bride-to-be witnessed his indiscretion, he declares that she died of a broken heart. He was convinced that despite being felled by the Spanish flu, his fiancée gave up her will to live.
Although we often read about people who die of a broken heart, in fact the broken-heart syndrome is not considered life-threatening. Severe chest pains mimic a heart attack, sending a patient to the emergency room, but there is no coronary artery involvement. Technically called stress cardiomyopathy, it is triggered by a hormone rush after a serious loss, often the loss of a loved one, a traumatic ending to a love affair, divorce, or even the loss of a pet, or money at a gambling casino.
It seems that an adrenaline surge interferes with the heart’s pumping ability, sending it into a freeze mode that leaves the left ventricle enlarged. However, there is seldom permanent damage and the condition oftentimes is reversed within a week.Women are more prone to this phenomenon than men.
Nonetheless, an actual heart attack can and does take place for those who are bereaved. This was reported in the January issue of Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association. Elizabeth Mostofsky, a post-doctoral fellow in the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, reported that after the death of a loved one heart attack risk is 21 times higher within 24 hours.
The risk diminishes each day thereafter, but remains elevated over several months.
Dr. Mostofsky, who has a master’s in public health and a doctor of science degree, and her team reached their conclusions after interviewing almost 2,000 patients who suffered myocardial infarctions over five years.
While the broken-heart syndrome can be frightening, a heart attack following bereavement is far more serious. However, a heart attack during this vulnerable period can sometimes be averted. Mostofsky says signs of bereavement involve “increased feelings of depression, anxiety and anger, and those have been shown to be associated with increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and a tendency for blood clotting — all of which can lead to a heart attack.”
Social support and medication may mitigate serious consequences.
The question remains: Can you die from a broken heart? The answer is both yes and no. “Yes,” during bereavement it is possible to have a fatal event, but, ironically, with regard to the broken-heart syndrome, the answer most often is “no.”
Link to the newspaper edition:
Can you die of a broken heart? on Page D3 of Monday, March 12, 2012 issue of Providence Journal
Rita Watson, MPH, ( www.ritawatson.com ) is a regular contributor to The Providence Journal and a relationship columnist for its All About You section.