Dying from a broken heart is a theme often seen in myths and fantasy, like in Star Wars where Padme Amidala may have succumbed to a broken heart after her husband turned to the dark side as Darth Vader. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s play, the King dies of a broken heart upon learning of his daughter Cordelia’s fate.
While these characters may have portrayed dying from heartbreak, the reality is that they could have had Takotsubo Syndrome, a severe dysfunction in the left ventricle of the heart caused by extreme emotional or physical stress.
The history of a broken heart
The concept of death from a broken heart has been popular in fiction for a long time. However, real cases were only documented by doctors in the 1960s, according to cardiologist Trisha Singh from the University Hospital Dorset, UK.
Medical advancements have allowed doctors to study affected patients more closely. They have observed balloon-like contractions in the left ventricle of the heart, leading to the term “Takotsubo Syndrome” coined by a doctor in Japan in 1990.
How does the heart break?
The exact cause of Takotsubo Syndrome remains a mystery. Some theories suggest that stress hormones flood the brain and adrenal glands, leading to weakened heart muscles. Another hypothesis involves temporary “shocking” of the brain due to stress responses. Lower estrogen levels in older women post-menopause could also play a role.
While Takotsubo Syndrome is rare, affecting only about 2% of those seeking help for heart issues, it can have severe consequences. Cases have been reported of sudden onset of chest pain and decreased heart function following acute emotional stress.
Despite its severity, Takotsubo Syndrome is usually short-lived and non-fatal, with most patients recovering within days. Treatment involves medications for heart failure and supportive care to help the heart regain its function. However, the condition’s rapid recovery raises questions about the necessity of long-term medication.
Looking back at history, it may be that past instances of dying of a “broken heart” were cases of Takotsubo Syndrome. With modern medical knowledge, there is now a physiological explanation for such occurrences.
Source: www.snexplores.org
