Dr Karen Faulkner, Associate Medical Director at Panthera Clinic, has urged people to recognise the signs that their heart is struggling under emotional stress and to seek urgent medical help when needed. She warned: “If you experience sudden chest pain, breathlessness or a racing heartbeat, don't assume it's ‘just heartbreak’, call 999 immediately.”
Broken Heart Syndrome Mimics Heart Attack
Intense emotional stress can affect the heart, in some cases potentially causing the rare but very real Broken Heart Syndrome, which can mimic a heart attack. It is impossible to tell the difference without a medical assessment. The condition is most commonly triggered by the end of a long-term relationship, whether through breakups or bereavement, and causes the heart’s main chamber to change shape, making the entire muscle weaker and diminishing its ability to pump blood.
Dr Faulkner continued: “Emotional distress after a breakup is normal, but if physical symptoms develop, particularly chest pain or feeling faint, seek urgent medical assessment rather than trying to wait it out.”
Late Summer Stress and Symptoms to Watch
Late summer often sees a spike in relationship turbulence, with summer romances ending and the school holidays putting extra strain on family dynamics. Dr Faulkner said: “Late summer can be an emotionally challenging time for many people. We see relationships coming to an end after family holidays, summer romances drawing to a close and people making significant life decisions as routines return to normal. While almost everyone experiences heartbreak without lasting physical effects, intense emotional stress can, in rare cases, temporarily weaken the heart muscle.”
According to the British Heart Foundation, some of the top symptoms of broken heart syndrome include sudden and intense chest pain, pressure or heaviness on the chest, and shortness of breath. Less common signs may include palpitations, feeling faint, or being sick.
Recovery and Treatment
Broken heart syndrome is also known as takotsubo syndrome, and experts aren’t entirely sure why it occurs. The top theory is that the rush of stress hormones caused by overwhelming emotions puts enough stress on the heart to cause damage. The condition is usually temporary, and most people recover within a few months once the body learns to cope and move through the stress. Some people may also need medications during this time, such as diuretics, beta blockers, or blood thinners.
