Broken Heart?

Broken Heart?

On December 27, 2016, actress Carrie Fisher, aged 60, died from a heart attack. The very next day, her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds died from a stroke. In the wake of the loss of these two popular Hollywood icons, many have asked whether you can actually die from a “broken heart”.The answer is yes. Broken heart syndrome, formally known as stress cardiomyopathy is a real medical condition. It is triggered by acute, major stress or shock — such as the death of a loved one.Indeed, your heart and mind are closely interlinked, and your mental states can have a distinct influence on your heart health and overall longevity.

Symptoms of broken heart syndrome are very similar to those of a heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath. The difference is there's no actual damage to the heart to trigger it. Extreme shock or stress may also trigger a hemorrhagic stroke by causing a dramatic rise or change in blood pressure.According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), broken heart syndrome is a "temporary condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened or stunned." The left ventricle, your heart's largest chamber, also changes shape, which adds to the temporary dysfunction.This sudden weakness of the heart is thought to be due to the sudden release of large quantities of adrenaline and other stress hormones.

Adrenaline increases your blood pressure and heart rate, and it's been suggested it may lead to narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to your heart. While most will successfully recover, in some, the change of shape of the left ventricle can trigger a fatal heart attack. An estimated 90 percent of broken heart syndrome occurs in women.

Having a history of neurological problems, such as seizure disorders, and a history of mental health problems is thought to raise your risk. While the condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention, it's usually a temporary condition that leaves no permanent damage.A number of studies have also shown that the loss of a loved one raises your own risk of sudden death, also known as the "bereavement effect." There's even evidence showing that spousal illness increases the partner's mortality risk.

A 2011 study found that, following a partner's death, the odds of the surviving partner dying remained elevated for six months (the widowhood effect), independent of their age and gender. A 2012 study found that losing a significant person in your life raises your risk of having a heart attack the next day by 21 times, and in the following week by six times. The risk of heart attacks began to decline after about a month had passed, perhaps as levels of stress hormones begin to level out.

There are compelling links between cardiac health and mental health. Having untreated depression or anxiety disorder increases your odds of having a heart attack or developing heart disease. Stress hormones are again a primary culprit.

A 2011 study, which found that those who reported higher levels of satisfaction in areas like career, sex life and family had a reduced risk for heart disease.

According to Julia Boehm, "The absence of the negative is not the same thing as the presence of the positive. We found that factors such as optimism, life satisfaction and happiness are associated with reduced risk of CVD regardless of such factors as a person's age, socioeconomic status, smoking status or body weight."

Dr. Stephen Kelly D.C.

Dr. Kelly practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to book an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca