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Do I Have Broken Heart Syndrome?

Take this quiz to see if you're experiencing the symptoms.

Is “broken heart syndrome” a real condition? The answer is: yes. Broken heart syndrome is commonly the result of extreme stress and can cause chest pains so severe that it may feel like a heart attack—although it certainly isn’t the same thing. While painful, broken heart syndrome is very treatable.

Concerned that you may be dealing with broken heart syndrome? Answer a few of our questions, and we'll let you know if your symptoms are similar to those of this heart condition—plus what to do if you suspect that you really do have broken heart syndrome.

If you’re having a health crisis, be sure to seek immediate medical attention!

The shattered pieces of a red, ceramic heart are laid out on a table.

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Questions Overview

1. Have you experienced any sudden, unexplained chest pains recently?
  1. Yes, I have frequent chest pain.
  2. Some, but mainly when I’m really worked up.
  3. Very rarely. I’m mostly in a lot of emotional pain.
  4. No, I only have emotional pain.
2. Are you feeling any shortness of breath?
  1. Yes, very often.
  2. Sometimes, when I’m really upset.
  3. I’m not sure.
  4. No, I’m not experiencing any shortness of breath.
3. Is your daily life very stressful at the moment?
  1. Yes, something very stressful happened recently, and I’ve been struggling with it.
  2. Yes, I’ve always had a high-stress schedule.
  3. No. I used to have a high-stress schedule, but it’s getting better.
  4. No, I’ve always had a fairly low-stress schedule.
4. Do you experience irregular heartbeats?
  1. Yes, it’s been a frequent problem lately.
  2. Yes, sporadically.
  3. I have in the past.
  4. No, never.
5. Do you have low blood pressure?
  1. Yes, I do.
  2. It hasn’t been confirmed, but I think I might.
  3. I don’t know if I have low blood pressure.
  4. No, I definitely don’t.
6. Has your doctor detected weakness in your heart’s left ventricle?
  1. Yes, they have.
  2. Yes, in the past.
  3. No, but I’m planning to see my doctor.
  4. No, absolutely not.
7. Have you felt any sudden emotional turmoil lately (grief, loss, fear, etc.)?
  1. Definitely. I experienced something huge and life-changing.
  2. I’ve had some turbulent feelings recently, but nothing too intense.
  3. I’ve experienced emotional turmoil before, but not recently.
  4. No, I’ve never felt anything like that.
8. Have you recently felt extreme excitement (a surprise party, winning the lottery, etc.)?
  1. Yes, in the last few days.
  2. Yes, but it happened a while ago.
  3. I was excited recently but don’t think it was anything extreme.
  4. No, not at all.
9. Have you ever been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition (depression, anxiety, OCD, etc.)?
  1. Yes, I've been diagnosed with one or more conditions.
  2. No, but I suspect that I have a condition.
  3. No, but I am prone to stress (or have a stressful lifestyle).
  4. No, I haven't, and I've never considered seeking any kind of diagnosis.
10. Choose the statement that applies most to you:
  1. I’m a female. I've experienced menopause and a neurological disorder (like a seizure or stroke).
  2. I'm a female who has experienced menopause.
  3. I'm a female, but I haven't experienced menopause.
  4. None of the statements above apply to me.
11. Have you felt physically unwell recently?
  1. Yes, I have.
  2. I have sometimes.
  3. Once or twice, yes.
  4. No, I feel fine physically.
12. Have you seen a doctor who suggested you may have broken heart syndrome?
  1. Yes, very recently.
  2. Yes, but it happened a while ago.
  3. No, but I’m waiting for an appointment.
  4. No, and I’ve seen my doctor recently.

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More About Broken Heart Syndrome

What is broken heart syndrome?

Broken heart syndrome is a heart condition caused by extreme emotional trauma, excitement, and stressful situations—although physical illness or surgery may also trigger the condition. It’s most often a temporary, treatable condition with a relatively quick recovery time, although anyone experiencing broken heart syndrome may experience worsening symptoms without treatment.

Symptoms

People with broken heart syndrome often think they're having a heart attack because it can be very difficult to differentiate the symptoms of each. Broken heart syndrome mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, including:

  • Severe chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakening of the heart’s left ventricle

Broken heart syndrome directly affects the heart, temporarily interrupting the way the heart pumps blood—although the rest of the heart keeps working normally. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can sometimes cause the heart to contract harder, and the chest pains associated with broken heart syndrome feel similar to a heart attack.

Additional symptoms of broken heart syndrome include:

  • Irregular heartbeats (also known as arrhythmias)
  • Low blood pressure (also called hypotension)
  • Heart palpitations (the sensation that your heart is pounding, beating fast, or skipping a beat)
  • Fainting or dizziness (also known as syncope)

Broken heart syndrome may even be misdiagnosed as a heart attack because the symptoms are so similar, but there’s one main difference between the two: heart attacks show signs of blocked heart arteries, while broken heart syndrome does not.

Possible Complications

Complications can arise from broken heart syndrome, especially when left untreated. Although it’s important to remember that complications related to broken heart syndrome are very rare, it’s possible to develop additional conditions such as:

  • Pulmonary edema (a buildup of fluid in your lungs)
  • Rupture of the left ventricle of your heart
  • Blockage of blood flow from your heart’s left ventricle
  • Blot clot in the wall of your left ventricle
  • Heart failure
  • Heart block (when the signal that controls your heartbeat is partially or totally blocked)
  • Cardiogenic shock (when your heart can’t pump enough blood to keep up with your body’s demand)

Diagnosis & Treatment

A doctor can diagnose broken heart syndrome after several tests. In addition to a regular physical exam, your healthcare provider will also review your medical history and likely order the following tests:

  • Blood test (to check for an enzyme from damaged heart muscle cells)
  • EKG (electrocardiogram)
  • Coronary angiography
  • Echocardiography
  • Chest x-ray
  • Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Ventriculogram (which shows how efficiently your left ventricle pumps blood)

Most people diagnosed with broken heart syndrome make a full recovery with medication. There’s no straightforward “cure” for broken heart syndrome, but the treatments and medicines available can essentially help the heart heal and operate normally once more. Many people feel better right away, within hours or days after getting treatment for broken heart syndrome.

Common medicines used to treat the condition include:

  • Aspirin, which improves circulation and prevents blood clots
  • ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), which lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation
  • Beta-blockers, which can slow your heart rate
  • Diuretics, which can decrease fluid buildup

If you’re diagnosed and treated for broken heart syndrome, your healthcare provider will likely also want you to get another echocardiogram 4 to 6 weeks after the initial diagnosis to ensure that everything is back to normal.

Prevention

Although broken heart syndrome can’t be prevented, you can take steps to minimize your physical and emotional stress. Try relaxation techniques such as:

  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • Mindfulness exercises
  • Aromatherapy
  • Deep breathing exercises
  • Professional counseling

Practicing healthy habits and regular self-care in your daily life can also help keep your stress at bay, including:

  • Eating a nutritious diet
  • Getting exercise at least 5 times a week
  • Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly
  • Attending regular medical checkups and screenings with your doctor
  • Avoiding tobacco products, excessive alcohol use, and recreational drug use

Key Takeaways

The most important thing to remember about broken heart syndrome is that it does heal. Death from broken heart syndrome is extremely rare (happening in roughly 1% of cases). Overall, broken heart syndrome has a high recovery rate and doesn’t usually result in any permanent damage to the heart.

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Medical Disclaimer

Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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