“It broke my heart.”
We feel you. Lovesickness hurts like hell. A formulation that can only be correct in the figurative sense. In fact, intense emotional stress can seriously damage your heart muscle.
Many experience it after an emotionally distressing event, such as a breakup, the death of a loved one, or an accident. A failed relationship can be very painful and lead to severe lovesickness. Many people then suffer from stomach problems, tachycardia or a feeling of tightness in the chest. But when does grief really become dangerous? Broken heart syndrome is especially common in women. Here’s how it happens and what you can do about it.
What is broken heart syndrome?
No, the phenomenon does not come from a romance novel or a Hollywood film, but a serious neurological disorder.
Unfortunately, he continues to be underestimated, even though life-threatening complications such as ventricular fibrillation or arrhythmias can occur.
Of course, your heart won’t break in two. Your soul is hurting, which once again confirms that Body and psyche are intimately linked.
The reason is that your body releases an overdose of adrenaline and other stress hormones, which constrict the coronary arteries. As a result, your blood can no longer flow properly through the body.
Symptoms: how does broken heart syndrome manifest?
The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are similar to those of a heart attack:
- Tightness in the chest.
The precise distinction of a heart attack can only be made in the hospital using a catheter.
How dangerous is it really?
The acute phase is very dangerous.
Your heart is then no longer able to pump enough blood around the body to ensure adequate supply to the organs. In most cases, however, heart function returns to normal within a few weeks. The death rate is also much lower than that of a heart attack.
Still, you should do regular follow-up checks to be on the safe side.
This is what happens to your body when your heart hurts
menstrual disorder.
Your period is early or late. Extreme mental stress is to blame for this.
You have withdrawal symptoms.
Your body releases less dopamine and this can lead to depressed moods and fears that can lead to panic attacks (fear of losing).
Your eating habits change.
When we don’t feel well mentally, we usually have no appetite. Or the opposite and you can’t stop thinking about food.
Your sleep cycle is disrupted.
Sleepless nights mean: You are irritable, exhausted and lacking in concentration.
Your immune system is weakened.
You are more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
What Causes Broken Heart Syndrome
Your boyfriend/girlfriend broke up. you lost your job Events like this mean a great emotional charge and one thing above all: stress. These are the most common causes of broken heart syndrome.
Patients often report the death of a loved one, shock after diagnosis or serious illness. A breakup, as well as traumatic events such as natural disasters or violent crimes can also cause broken heart syndrome. Genetic predispositions can also cause broken heart syndrome.
What are the treatment options?
Usually you recover fairly quickly, in 4 to 6 weeks, on your own
and the changes almost always disappear completely. Very important here: Rest, rest and drink plenty.
Our heart heals on its own, can you believe it? Our heart heals.
It’s amazing what our body can do for us. It’s the same with lovesickness. So give yourself time. In severe cases of broken heart syndrome, people are monitored in the intensive care unit and given beta-blockers. This allows the heart rate to recover slowly.
Prevent broken heart syndrome
Heartaches and heartaches of course cannot be avoided. Yes, we’re sorry, but we haven’t found a miracle cure for this yet. But if you know you have a If you have a low stress tolerance, you can work on relaxation techniques, yoga, and lots of exercise on a regular basis. Yes, you heard it right: it doesn’t work without sport.
A healthy lifestyle and effective stress management can help protect your heart. And of course a big dose of self-love.
Especially women suffer from it
A staggering 90% of those affected are women.
And thank you too. be suspected hormonal influences
(always those stupid hormones) especially after menopause. Women have one during this period lower estrogen levels and are therefore more sensitive to the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Estrogens – that is, female sex hormones – normally have a protective effect on the heart.
The high release of these stress hormones can easily damage your heart muscle cells.
c (iStock)
It’s okay not to be well
Everyone has their own struggles and issues to deal with, and Sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to.
It’s okay to say you’re not feeling well. Whether it’s a bad breakup you’re going through or the loss of a loved one. Take the time you need to heal. Very often we try not to let it show, just to function. Repressing feelings is wrong.
Treat yourself with care. Your body, your soul and everything important: your heart.
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