Stress-induced heart attacks: Doctors explain how a broken heart can lead to death

In a competitive world, stress is bound to affect everyone across age groups. But little do people realise that the outcome of taking too much stress can be nearly deadly, sometimes even deadly.

One might think that stress cannot kill, but in truth, it can; as can a condition known as Broken Heart Syndrome. But at a time when stress-induced heart attacks are becoming common, doctors suggest taking all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of facing a deadly situation.

How does stress affect heart health?

In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Shrey Srivastav, General Physician at Sharda Hospital, explained how stress can lead to heart attacks.

“Stress-induced heart attack or stress cardiomyopathy also called Broken Heart Syndrome is a condition caused by intense emotional or physical stress leading to rapid and severe reversible cardiac dysfunction. It mimics myocardial infarction with changes in the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, but without any obstructive coronary artery disease,” said Dr Srivastav.

“When stress-induced cardiomyopathy occurs, the lower part of the left ventricle – the heart’s main pumping chamber – expands. This change in the left ventricle’s shape and size can cause the heart to work harder to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. Most people who experience stress-induced cardiomyopathy recover with little or no treatment beyond the use of medications to ease the workload of the heart.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is usually a reversible condition. Full recovery is likely in most cases. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, about 90% of the people who develop stress-induced cardiomyopathy are women. About 8 out of 10 of them are ages 50 and older,” the expert added.