Yes, You can experience serious Health Issues and even DIE(!!!) from Heartbreak
— But It’s fairly Uncommon.
The emotional burden of loss and intense feelings can have significant physical repercussions.
Perhaps a relationship breakup has left you feeling isolated, rejected, or disconnected. Or maybe the death of a loved one has left you with a heart full of sorrow. Even losing a job can create a profound emptiness that feels insurmountable.
Any form of loss can stir feelings of grief, a powerful emotion that can manifest physically.
But can heartbreak actually lead to death? The answer is Yes. While indeed it is possible, it is fairly uncommon.
“Intense emotions such as grief, anger, fear, and even excitement trigger physical responses in your body,” explains cardiologist Marc Gillinov, MD. “Your emotional reactions can certainly impact your physical health, but the chances of dying from a broken heart are quite low.”
We spoke with Dr. Gillinov about how heartbreak can affect your health in tangible ways.
Dr. Gillinov is an American cardiac surgeon and a recognized expert in mitral valve repair surgery, robotic heart surgery and in the study and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.
When Heartbreak Causes Physical Pain
When you think of a broken heart, you may focus more on emotional aspects rather than physical health. However, there is a significant overlap.
This connection arises because our emotional state profoundly affects our physical health and vice versa.
Here are a few ways that heartbreak can literally harm your heart and body.
Broken Heart Syndrome (It’s Real)
In response to emotional or traumatic events, your nervous system releases stress hormones like adrenaline and epinephrine. This is a normal reaction.
However, in rare cases, someone in emotional distress can experience an event resembling a heart attack. This phenomenon is known as broken heart syndrome, or more formally, stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This condition may require immediate medical attention.
Here’s what occurs:
After a highly emotional event, there is a significant surge of adrenaline — far more than a standard emotional reaction. This hormone rush can disrupt normal heart muscle contractions, leading to short-term heart failure.
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack and may include:
● Sudden and intense chest pain
● Shortness of breath
● Irregular heartbeats
● Low blood pressure
● Heart palpitations
● Fainting
Even an EKG can show results similar to those of a heart attack. However, this is not a heart attack.
Dr. Gillinov notes, “Broken heart syndrome is likely caused by hormonal factors. It may resemble a heart attack, but heart attacks are the result of blood clots in the arteries.”
Typically, heart failure resolves itself. However, in extremely rare cases (less than 1%), broken heart syndrome can lead to death. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek emergency medical care if you experience symptoms indicative of a heart attack.
Grief is the most prevalent emotional trigger linked to broken heart syndrome, but symptoms can arise shortly after any highly emotional experience, such as a breakup, the death of a loved one, or even moments of intense excitement, such as winning the lottery or surviving a traumatic event.
High Blood Pressure
Navigating heartbreak and grief can be stressful, triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response. This leads to a series of physiological changes.
Your pupils dilate, your muscles may tense, and your heart rate and blood pressure rise.
“Negative emotions, including those associated with heartbreak or grief, can elevate blood pressure, increase vascular reactivity, and raise the risk of blood clots,” Dr. Gillinov explains.
While a temporary spike in blood pressure may not pose a problem for most individuals, those with existing high blood pressure or risks for heart conditions could experience long-term damage from the stress of heartbreak.
Heart Attack
A rapid increase in blood pressure could potentially trigger a heart attack, especially in those already at risk.
“Stressful emotions can induce a heart attack in vulnerable individuals,” emphasizes Dr. Gillinov.
Though not common, a sudden rise in blood pressure may overwhelm the heart, particularly for those with existing heart disease or a history of heart attacks in their family.
Heart attacks are serious and can be life-threatening. If you exhibit signs of a heart attack, it's vital to seek immediate medical assistance.
Depression
Heartbreak and grief can be incredibly debilitating. While it’s normal to feel low after a heartbreak, prolonged sadness may evolve into depression.
Depression primarily affects mental health but can also have detrimental effects on physical well-being.
“Individuals with depression are more likely to develop heart disease, and vice versa,” shares Dr. Gillinov. “The correlation is strong enough that anyone experiencing depression should be assessed for heart disease, and heart patients should be screened for depression.”
Long-term feelings of heartbreak may lead to depression, which can subsequently result in heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Final Thoughts
The connection between our mental and physical health is profound. Living with heartbreak, grief, and sadness can have harmful effects on the body. While it is rarely life-threatening, it can be detrimental, especially over time.
Incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathwork can be beneficial in managing the emotional and physiological impacts of heartbreak. These techniques help calm the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Meditation encourages a state of relaxation and presence, allowing you to process emotions without becoming overwhelmed. Breathwork, on the other hand, promotes deep, controlled breathing that can lower heart rate and blood pressure, providing a sense of calm and grounding.
Engaging in these practices regularly can foster emotional resilience, aiding in recovery from grief and heartbreak. By nurturing your mental health through mindfulness, you can positively impact your physical health, enhancing your overall well-being.
How Watapana Wellness can help mend a broken heart.
Watapana Wellness offers a holistic approach to healing that addresses both the physiological and emotional strains resulting from heartbreak and extreme emotional stressors. Through personalized wellness programs, clients can explore therapeutic techniques such as guided meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness practices tailored to their unique needs.
At Watapana Wellness, trained professionals provide a supportive environment where individuals can learn to manage their stress effectively. The integration of mind-body therapies promotes relaxation, emotional release, and healing, helping clients regain their sense of balance and well-being.
In conclusion, the gravity of heartbreak and extreme emotional stressors should not be underestimated. They can lead to serious health complications if left unaddressed.
Seeking treatment at Watapana Wellness can significantly aid in an individual’s overall betterment, guiding them toward healing and a healthier, more fulfilling life.