February is filled with much to do about our hearts both physically and emotionally. But did you know there is such a thing as “Broken Heart Syndrome”?
According to the American Heart Association, broken heart syndrome is a life-threatening condition of which symptoms mimic a heart attack, and it’s on the upswing especially among women over 50. A few years ago, the condition was not very widely recognized, but now more medical professionals are recognizing the signs and it’s looking as if it is most common in women 50 to 74 years old.
Broken Heart Syndrome looks like a heart attack yet is brought on by stress – either physical or emotional. It causes the main chamber of the heart to enlarge, and in turn creates poor pumping. This creates chest pain, shortness of breath – signs of a heart attack, especially in women.
Stacy Sawyer, Director of Marketing at Hamilton, remembers meeting a survivor of broken heart syndrome. “I had never heard of the disease and was shocked that stress can truly lead to such severe cardiovascular problems. She explained all the years of high stress with work, family, and managing end-of-life care for her mom, and the day her mom died she literally collapsed on top of her from it.”
Thankfully that lady was in the hospital when she suffered her attack and survived. According to researchers if the initial phase of the disease is survived you can usually recover in days or weeks.
Talking with Huda Elhwairis, MD and Internist, at Hamilton Community Health Network, she explained that older women may be at a higher risk of broken heart syndrome because they take so much on as mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters.
“A woman’s job is never done,” she joked, but we certainly all agree. “You start your day with getting your kids to school, get yourself to work, do your job and cope with any stress there, make sure all your errands are completed, get home, make dinner, take care of the kids, your partner, clean your home, help with homework, and on and on,” Elhwairis explained. “Plus, we have a pandemic that has been going on for a few years now, we’re at the breaking point – our bodies need to relax. We cannot spend our lives under pressure and not expect it to affect our health.”
American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, posted a study stating there is a clear connection between negative psychological factors, personality traits, and mental health disorders that can affect cardiovascular health. With this, medical professionals need to include a more robust plan for all patients when it comes to overall treatment.
Elhwairis says she likes to screen patients for overall wellbeing. Treating a physical illness is just one aspect of the health journey. By helping patients manage their mental health in addition to physical health, it can give the patient a better outcome.
“Whether it’s cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, headaches, or a scratchy cough, talk with your doctor about what’s bothering you both physically and mentally,” suggests Elhwairis. “Get to know your physician or provider and let her or him know what is bothering you and what your goals are.”
In the meantime, Dr. Elhwairis gave us some tips on how we can reduce stress to help improve our physical health:
- Create Coping Mechanisms for Stress – meditation, yoga or exercise.
- Eat Right – avoid deep-fried, sugary foods and aim for fresh fruits and vegetables
- Get Enough Sleep – lack of sleep leads to a slew of problems
- Ask for Help when you need it –responsibilities can be shared
- Make it a point to Relax Every Day – even on the most stressful days, take 10 minutes to calm yourself and appreciate yourself
Anyone who needs to talk with someone about stress or significant struggles can call our behavioral health department to talk with a social worker or therapist. It’s time to be Healthy with Hamilton. 810-406-4246
