Can You Die from a Broken Heart?

Can you die from a "broken heart." We've all heard stories of about people who drop over dead after hearing 'gut wrenching' news. Perhaps they were shocked with the death of a loved one. Maybe they were "fired" from their job without warning.

Their sudden death is tremendously disturbing. But did grief cause their death? The answer is unequivocally, "yes."

Medical researchers in the past few years have discovered that severe stress can actually lead to death. Scientists in Japan were the first to describe this "Broken Heart" syndrome- a form of severe weakening of the heart muscle that leads to symptoms like a heart attack.

Although similar to an actual heart artery blockage, this form of heart damage is actually caused by a massive release of stress hormones called adrenalin (epinephrine) that temporarily weaken the heart muscle. Almost as if the heart has been hit by powerful blow to the chest- the "broken heart" syndrome is a "stunning" of the heart. In this unusual condition, the walls of the heart quit moving. Unable to pump blood effectively, the person develops symptoms.

Chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue causes them to seek medical attention. Often these troubling symptoms and findings are misdiagnosed. Although they have many of the symptoms of a heart attack, the typical muscle enzymes that are released with heart damage are minor.

Frequently seen in middle-aged or elderly females, the "broken heart" syndrome often manifests after severe emotional trauma. During periods of extreme grief or fear the body massively elevated stress hormones pour into the blood stream and injure the heart muscle.

The condition produces a very characteristic EKG (which often is not recognized by ER physicians), but the echocardiogram, a sound wave test of the heart, is diagnostic. What cardiologist's see, is that the tip of the heart has stopped moving completely and only the upper portion of the heart is squeezing effectively.

Recently, researchers at John Hopkins Hospital (NEJM Feb 2005) published a series of 19 patients who presented with the typical features of the "broken heart" syndrome. These were people who had suffered severe emotional upset including: recent news of the death of a loved one, an automobile accident, fierce argument, and other emotional trauma. Eighteen of the patients were female. Most of them were middle-aged.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the the levels of adrenaline were elevated, up to 3 times the normal level. All of the patients had undergone a cardiac catheterization which showed normal heart arteries.

The idea that a broken heart can cause death isn't new. Mayo Clinic researchers in the 1970's reported over 170 patient who suffered sudden death after emotional injury.

How stress works to stun the heart in this fashion is unknown. Fortunately, medications can be helpful in the "broken heart" syndrome and people can make a complete recovery.

What's important is to know that severe duress isn't just emotionally draining- it can actually be life threatening.

It's important to take the time to improve your emotional health and become more heart healthy.

Kirk Laman, D.O., F.A.C.C.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.