Women are more likely than men to experience sudden, intense chest pain — the reaction to a surge of stress hormones
It could be the death of a loved one or a divorce, breakup or physical separation, betrayal or romantic rejection. It could even happen after a good shock, such as winning the lottery.
Broken heart syndrome may be misdiagnosed as a heart attack because the symptoms and test results are similar.
Tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances that are typical of a heart attack. But unlike a heart attack, there’s no evidence of blocked heart arteries.
In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart temporarily enlarges and doesn’t pump well, while the rest of your heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions
Broken heart syndrome can lead to severe, short-term heart muscle failure.