Broken Heart Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and When It Can Be Dangerous
Heartbreak is usually thought of as emotional pain. You’re probably familiar with the feeling of discomfort that settles in your chest and feels like it’ll never go away. Most people expect it to fade with time, distractions and a little TLC.
But in rare cases, intense emotional or physical stress can affect the heart itself. This condition is known as broken heart syndrome, and despite the poetic name, it’s a real medical diagnosis.
What Is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo syndrome, is a temporary heart condition triggered by extreme stress.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms can closely resemble a heart attack, which is why medical evaluation is always important.
Common symptoms of broken heart syndrome include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- A sudden feeling of weakness or discomfort
While these symptoms can feel frightening, broken heart syndrome doesn’t usually cause permanent heart damage when treated promptly. Most people recover fully within weeks or months.
Without medical care, however, the heart muscle can weaken, increasing the risk of complications such as heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms or low blood pressure.
What Causes Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome is typically caused by a sudden surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which temporarily interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
Emotional stressors may include:
- The loss of a loved one
- A breakup or major relationship conflict
- Intense fear, shock or grief
In addition, physical stressors like severe injuries or infections can also trigger takotsubo syndrome.
Women — particularly post-menopausal women — account for roughly 90% of reported cases, though researchers are still working to understand why.
Is Broken Heart Syndrome Dangerous?
In most cases, broken heart syndrome is treatable and reversible. About 95% of people don’t experience another episode after recovery.
That said, the symptoms should never be ignored. Because broken heart syndrome closely mimics a heart attack, any sudden chest pain or breathing difficulty requires immediate medical attention.
How Common Is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome is relatively rare. Only about 2% of people evaluated for a suspected heart attack are ultimately diagnosed with the condition.
Its infrequent diagnosis doesn’t make it any less important, however — especially because early treatment plays a key role in recovery.
Can You Reduce Your Risk?
Stress is unavoidable, but managing it can help support heart health. Some helpful strategies include:
- Regular physical activity
- Mindfulness or relaxation practices
- Seeking social support during periods of grief or emotional strain
Listening to your body — and taking symptoms seriously — matters more than pushing through discomfort.
Explore the Science Behind the Heart–Mind Connection
Broken heart syndrome highlights the powerful connection between emotional stress and physical health. If you’re curious about how the body responds to different stressors, studying medical physiology can open doors in healthcare, research and education.
The University of Florida offers entirely online graduate credentials in medical sciences (from anatomical sciences education to medical physiology and pharmacology) designed for flexibility and working professionals. Some programs can even be completed in as little as one year.
Learn how advanced training in physiology can help you explore the science behind health and disease.
