Broken Heart Syndrome
Broken heart syndrome, also called stress cardiomyopathy, is a heart condition triggered by stressful situations; extreme stress can reduce the heart’s pumping ability. The symptoms of broken heart syndrome are similar to those of a heart attack, and they include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Arrhythmia (irregular beating of the heart)
- Fainting
- Low blood pressure
Your doctor will treat broken heart syndrome with medications, including ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or diuretics. These medications will alleviate the workload on your heart.