In short, obviously. Afraid? You most likely should. Just when you thought you needed one more reason to watch out in today’s dating environment…..
There is really “broken heart syndrome” called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (or heart muscle failure) which is much more common in women and is a medical syndrome that is really well described in the medical literature and recognized by the American Heart Association. “Takotsubo” is the Japanese word for a kind of urn used to trap octopus, and it has a heart-like shape with this syndrome, leading to a balloon-like shape that inflates against its normal configuration.
Above is an xray image of a swollen heart with Takotsubo syndrome with a photo of a conventional Japanese urn next to it:
Heartbreak releases a myriad of hormones that are part of the stress response, and when these hormones are released in very significant amounts they can cause damage to the heart muscle, leading to acute heart failure, causing the heart to swell, pump inefficiently, and cause cardiovascular collapse, including death
There is a clear gender inequality in the occurrence of this syndrome, with the majority of comparatively healthy, adult women without other cardiovascular problems. In more than 90% of cases, it’s triggered by a period of extreme stress, such as a divorce, death of a loved one, pregnancy, or other emotional stress. To be diagnosed with this syndrome, other causes of heart failure must be ruled out, but more and more we are recognizing it as a real phenomenon, and not an unusual one.
Most patients present to the ED concerned a few heart attack, experiencing the same symptoms as chest pain, irregular heartbeat and dizziness. They are treated accordingly, but further investigation generally reveals no other cardiovascular problems such as vascular disease in healthy young patients, leading to the diagnosis of “broken heart syndrome”.
Without treatment, abnormal heart rhythms, strokes, and even death can occur, but in most cases, with proper management, hospitalization, and medicine, this syndrome resolves within days to weeks. Some aren’t so lucky. In fact, while I was in training as a cardiovascular surgery associate, we temporarily implanted a supportive “mechanical heart” in a lady who developed this syndrome as a result of harsh problems during her labour. He recovered a few week later allowing us to remove the device, and by chance did well, but required major invasive surgery to sustain life, and in a poorly equipped center he may not have been so lucky.
What should we do? Protect your heart, go beyond exercise, and ensure you have stress management tactics part of your daily routine.
More about Dr. Greuner:
Dr. Greuner has been featured in Doctor Oz’s America’s Most Beautiful Doctor, Long Island’s Most Influential Pulse LI, and Prestige Magazine, to name a few. Greuner is an award-winning cardiovascular surgeon, inventor Knifeless Endovenous Ablation – scarless procedures for vein repair, and America’s first surgeon to treat lipedema surgically. Greuner is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of NYC Surgical, (with 9 offices in the tri state area, several specialties). He is also the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Special Surgery Centers – Outpatient Surgery Centers (many) and is partnered with Quantum International Income Corp, a publicly traded investment fund.
Apart from his work, Dr. Greuner has a large involvement with celebrities and the fashion industry as a result of his frequent charity work and clients. She has recently attended/scheduled to attend the following events: NYC Amfar Inspiration Gala, Amfar Milano, NYC Angel Ball, Latin Grammy (Fall 205), Paris Fashion Week (15/10), to name a few. Greuner is involved in the following charities: Amfar – HIV, Sharing Committee – Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Examined – Breast Cancer, Heart Fund – Worldwide – operates with kids with congenital heart disease in underdeveloped countries.
On a personal level, important person Dr. Greuner is Brazilian model Drielle Valaretto, who is currently listed as the top 100 models in the world. Dr. Greuner lives in Manhattan with homes in East Hampton and Grenada. Instagram: @Dnonstop
