Study Shows Rise In ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
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A new study published in the JAMA Network Open journal shows that there is a rise in broken heart syndrome during the coronavirus pandemic.
Broken heart syndrome is also known as stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It can feel like a heart attack, with symptoms including sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, and chest pains. However, the condition does not affect heart cells in the same way as a heart attack.
According to Johns Hopkins Medical, the syndrome causes a temporary surge in stress hormones like adrenaline, which stuns your heart.
Though the condition is not fatal, it has been found to be more prevalent during the pandemic. The study shows that rates of broken heart syndrome among patients with existing heart conditions have spiked to 7.8 percent, in comparison to 1.7 percent of patients diagnosed with the condition prior to the pandemic.
Researchers studied 2,000 patients with the condition before and after the crisis and found a steep increase in stress cardiomyopathy. They also found that these patients had longer hospital stays on average during the pandemic, as well.
According to the American College of Cardiology, the increase of cases could be linked to financial strain, physical trauma, violence, and other forms of severe emotional threats that could trigger the condition.
Patients with cardiomyopathy can be treated with medication, but American Heart Association recommends that people—especially those with preexisting conditions—track their emotional wellbeing and learn how to manage their mental health to avoid experiencing heart damage.
[via Bustle, cover image via Shutterstock]
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