'Broken heart' cases spike during COVID

Researchers say cases of "broken heart syndrome" have spiked during the pandemic, especially among women.

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[jkn]

I've always believed that someone can die from a "broken heart." My grandparents got married at 15 & 16 years old. When my papa died unexpectedly at 66, despite my grandmother being in remission from breast cancer, she became depressed & her cancer came back with a vengeance. Her zest for life died with my Papa. She was gone 2 years later. Her love for him & desire to be with him again surpassed all else.

[AaronDarrFL]

My grandma died from covid last January. It was awful. She raised me. She was my entire world. I haven’t been the same since. I lost over 45 lbs, became dependent upon Xanax to help with my panic attacks, then boom, my dog died 9 weeks later on my 30th birthday. I lost it. I literally lost it. Somehow I graduated with a 3.875 GPA from college in May. I put off going to law school in the Fall last year though. I was not mentally there. I still am not mentally there. I am hoping to be ready to go to law school by Fall 2023. Way too much pain and heartbreak at one time. The weight loss and constant crying for the entirety of last year were too much. It just got so out of control for me that the one thing I could control was my weight. I am starting to regain control of my life again. I just choose to look at my heart as not broken anymore, but layered with scar tissue and stronger then before, preparing me for what’s next in the amazing journey we call life. Covid really destroyed my family and my mental state. I really hope people realize this disease has a domino effect on families and those around them.

[crystalrusmisel]

This happened to my mom whenever my dad had a massive heart attack and was on life support. They told us he wouldn’t make it and that’s when she collapsed on us. Thankfully both of them survived.

[ellearthur]

My 58 year old mom passed suddenly of a heart attack in the night, nine days after her own 78 yo mother passed of covid and 8 days after her 44 year old cousin overdosed in September 2020. I genuinely believe that my mama would still be here without the emotional stress of that week. 💔

[nataliefades]

Amazing that her doctor believed her. Most medical professionals will diagnose it as anxiety. Broken Heart Syndrome is real. Stress, loss, deep grief and Narcissistic Abuse can cause this. It can kill you.

[bambooblue]

Agree with each cardiologist’s daughter. Women have raised this with their male doctors and are oftentimes not taken seriously. There is benefit in seeing a female doctor.

[grateful]

I not too long ago watched a video about a pastor. His wife of 59 years passed away. He was honest about how he cried himself to sleep nightly. He missed her deeply. The day he was preaching and telling the congregation about his heartache. He also told them that he trusted God and that one day he would see her again. That very afternoon after church he had a heart attack and passed away. Immediately I said to myself. I believe he died of broken heart syndrome. I'm glad he's with Jesus and his wife now.

[moniqueengleman]

My mother died of broken 💔
syndrome. She passed 10 days after my Dad. They were a team and were married for 62 years.
I miss them both.

[lolawants]

Actually, this is America where not many can afford this healthcare. So in America, you kinda do have to be your own cardiologist

[m.e.]

I got this as I held my mom's hand as she died of cancer. I was a very healthy 30 yr old. Hospice wanted to take me to the hospital. I couldn't breathe and I had excruciating heart pain.

[Calcifurr]

Mental health is everything. As you can see stress, anxiety, depression, etc can all lead to physical pain which can become detrimental.

Stress is known to play a role in cancer. Please take care of your mental health! You my friend are worth it!

[veenessa]

I'm 38 right now and a couple weeks before my 38th birthday I had a mini-stroke everybody tells me I need to stop stressing I'm a single mom of 4 kids right now my depression is a really bad . I thought I was having another mini stroke the other day.. since my brother my only sibling passed away he was 36 back in 2016 my life has not been the same im broken 💔 😔 inside

[citrine]

I was a caregiver for 7 years for my Mother.
It was honor to help her reach 100 yrs but took a toll on me. A year after she passed I had a tachycardia episode.
An astute nurse at the hospital asked me what my life has been last few years. Told her about the tremendous stress.
She said that's why you are here.

[stephaniejones]

Wow I had an incident after losing my Dad and Step Mom to COVID. My heart was pounding, hurting, I was dizzy. I drove myself to the hospital and they told me my heart looked fine and I hadn’t had a heart attack or stroke. It has happened a few times. I felt like the doctor just didn’t understand that this wasn’t normal. I’m going to show this to my doctor.

[PraveenSr]

This pandemic 😷 is driving me and my family crazy and we are really stressed out. This sounds like exactly what happened to my mom but thank goodness she is doing better. God was definitely looking out for her the past month. She will be turning 62 years old this year.

[knittylane]

Retired cardiac RN here- I had a patient who had this happen at her husband’s funeral. Another patient was an elderly lady who had a fender bender, after which the other driver berated her to the extent that she had this Takatsubo syndrome happen. Amazing how the body works!

[intavawongministries]

I once had a broken heart. It’s very traumatizing to ones health indeed! I couldn’t think, I’d get nauseous, stress and anxiety, can’t sleep, can’t eat. Tried to take pills to make the pain and ache go away... didn’t work. Don’t try it. But one thing did work...

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Only JESUS was able to heal my broken heart. He healed me spiritually, mentally and physically and made me WHOLE. He doesn’t just heal, He makes Whole again. I repented of my sins and called on the one name that can save mankind. And He healed me. I pray He’ll heal you too, whoever is reading this. Amen!

[ATAHUALPA]

Keep in mind, women take lots of stress more than men . Daily house and children care or maintaining their jobs . Must be on top of your mental state of mind and don't let anyone discourage you too seek help. My wife is going thru a lot due to school district lack of help with our disable son. Take care guys.

[luciamixon]

Complicated grief can probably be a factor. Stress of any sort. Life isn't fair and some people can't deal with it. They need support and lots of self care.

[bonzimmer]

If I'd watched this 10 years ago, I would have been like really, this is real? But then I went through a divorce that I wasn't expecting after 20 years of marriage and ended up going to the doctor because I was having significant chest pain. It was deemed to be anxiety which I'd never had before (not medically speaking). I wonder now if what I experienced is the same ... sounds like it