This results in reduced heart pumping and acute heart failure, but most patients recover fully in days or weeks. Other have severe health problems, or die. (See comments below)
Professor Sian Harding stated that: 'Adrenaline’s stimulatory effect on the heart is important for helping us get more oxygen around the body in stressful situations, but it can be damaging if it goes on for too long.'
Research also showed some drugs such as beta blockers cause the condition to worsen.
Dr Alexander Lyon commented: 'Currently it is not fully known how to treat these patients.' He is also from London's Imperial College.
Dr Shannon Amoils, who is the BHF research advisor, suggested: 'This is a fascinating study which presents a possible explanation for the signs of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a rare condition that’s usually preceded by intense emotional or physical stress. Patients usually have symptoms that resemble those of a heart attack but nearly all fully recover after a short time.'
Although the research was on rats, there is much theoretical evidence about humans. (See below.) Some people with a broken heart can't get over the loss, and become ill for a long time. Sadly, some die.
Comments by readers of this article include the following:
Friends of our family who were a married couple who had been together for over 60 years in marriage. The wife died on a Tuesday, heart attack i believe. A week later to the day the husband also died, we believe from a broken heart. Neither of them had had any seriious illness in their lives at all.
EXPAT, GRNL, 28/6/2012 12:31
I agree with the sentiments here. When my wife died, the pain was so intense that, although I had no thoughts of self-harm, I could not see how I could possibly keep living through it. Even a year on, though the pain has diminished it is still very palpable. I do know, now, I no longer fear death. I will do what I can to still live a long healthy life, but, to me, death means a final coming back together with my beloved.
- Ken, Brisbane, Australia, 28/6/2012 00:24
The same thing happened to me after my husband died this february. It still feels like a lead weight in my chest.
- Ellen, Atlanta, GA USA, 27/6/2012 23:17
My heart felt like a hammer had shattered a glass heart....it hurt physically, mentally and emotionally.
- AliceMc, Somewhere, 27/6/2012 19:03
A very good article. For me it felt as though I should be bleeding as the pain was so strong after my husband died.
- Eileen, Aberdeen, 27/6/2012 18:32
It was reported here recently that in the week following the February 2011 earthquakes at least twenty women (no men, which was interesting) had died of heart failure. These women had no history of heart disease and their hearts were found to be perfectly healthy, but they just stopped. The doctors are calling it 'broken hearted syndrome' and it's terribly terribly sad.
- Michelle, Christchurch NZ, 27/6/2012 16:12
Anybody suffering from a broken heart will tell you it is a physical pain, the worst ever. I'm not surprised that the body has a way of coping - if not, you really would die from a broken heart.
- Annie, The Rock, 27/6/2012 16:11
If you need help with a broken heart, please let me know. My 100% free therapy might help.
The journal, Circulation, published this study. Funding for the study came from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the Wellcome Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Reference http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2165458/How-broken-heart-syndrome-PROTECTS-grief-stricken-dying.html#ixzz1zAa2c7H0