Broken Heart Syndrome 101: It Is Possible To Break Your Heart

Can A Broken Heart Be Treated?

Unfortunately, broken heart syndrome has no standard treatment, but it is clear treatment can not begin until a proper diagnosis has been reached and medical professionals can rule out a heart attack. There are various ways to diagnose broken heart syndrome, which include a personal history and physical exam, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, multiple blood tests, a chest X-ray, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a coronary angiogram. Considering broken heart syndrome often mimics the symptoms of cardiac arrest, doctors will conduct a coronary angiogram quickly to rule out a heart attack.

Once it is clear to doctors that broken heart syndrome is the cause of the individual’s symptoms, they will prescribe heart medications for the patient to take while they’re in the hospital, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers or diuretics. These medications can greatly help to reduce the pressure and workload on the heart and may prevent future attacks from occurring. Many patients admitted to a hospital for broken heart syndrome make a full recovery approximately within a month of being diagnosed.

Continue reading to reveal how this critical heart condition can be prevented, and the complications and risks associated with it.