BS: broken hearts

Subject: BS: broken hearts
From: beardedbruce
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 05:25 AM

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- Confirming the wisdom of the poets and philosophers, doctors say the sudden death of a loved one really can cause a broken heart.

In fact, they have dubbed the condition "broken heart syndrome."

In a study published just in time for Valentine's Day -- February 14 -- doctors reported how a tragic or shocking event can stun the heart and produce classic heart attack-like symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs.

Unlike a heart attack, the condition is reversible. Patients often are hospitalized but typically recover within days after little more than bedrest and fluids and suffer no permanent damage to their hearts.

In their study, published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, doctors at Johns Hopkins University gave a name to the condition, demonstrated through sophisticated heart tests how it differs from a heart attack, and offered an explanation for what causes it.

For centuries, doctors have known that emotional shocks can trigger heart attacks and sudden deaths. Broken heart syndrome, technically known as stress cardiomyopathy, is a different phenomenon.

The Johns Hopkins doctors documented how a dayslong surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones can cause a decline in the heart's pumping capacity. The researchers theorized that the hormones probably cause tiny heart blood vessels to contract, but other explanations are possible.

Until now, doctors "were trying to explain it away, but the pieces never quite fit," said Dr. Hunter Champion, an assistant professor. "By our ability to recognize it, we've saved people from getting unnecessary (heart) procedures."

Champion and colleagues treated 19 emergency room patients with the syndrome between 1999 and 2003. Many were grieving over the death of a husband, parent or child. Other triggers included a surprise party, car accident, armed robbery, fierce argument, court appearance and fear of public speaking.

MRIs and other tests showed they had not suffered heart attacks.

Other doctors have since told Champion that they have seen the same thing, and researchers in Japan and Minnesota have reported similar cases.

"This is probably something that happens all the time," but most people do not seek treatment, Champion said.

Dr. Daniel Shindler, director of the echocardiography lab at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said it apparently happened to his wife last week, when she was upset over her sister's death. The wife, who also is a doctor, sensed abnormalities in her heart. Testing showed abnormal rhythms, but she is fine now.

Shindler said the researchers' conclusions make sense, given the well-known link between the brain and heart, and offer the first explanation he has heard for the phenomenon.

Dr. Sidney Smith, former American Heart Association president and director of University of North Carolina's Center for Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, said the study will lead more ER and heart doctors to consider the syndrome when examining patients with chest pain.

"We'll definitely be paying more attention now than before" to patients who are grieving, Shindler said.

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 05:34 AM

Bugger the stress cardiomyopathy. I have a broken heart, ripped, bleeding and oozing. And I dont know how the hell to get over it. I wake up every day thinking of him, and go to sleep every night.

Yes, he is worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 07:01 AM

Yo guest, it's not me is it.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: Davetnova
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 07:20 AM

Guest - all things pass. One day you'll meet me or Eric and you'll wonder how you could ever felt that way about HIM.

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: Donuel
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:23 AM

bearded bruce

the findings also show that this condition occurs almost exclusively among women.

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: jacqui.c
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:26 AM

Guest - I'll go along with Eric And Davetnova. Been there and felt it, Now I'm happier than I've ever been with someone who IS worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: GUEST,superglue for broken hearts
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:41 AM

even the world of fairy tale romances is subject to such pain and heartbreak

aparently Princess Di died of a broken heart


..according to autopsy report


and all the Queens horses and all the Queens men
could'nt put Di & Dodi together again

Subject: RE: BS: broken hearts
From: open mike
Date: 16 Feb 06 - 11:45 AM

right now there is a special
on NPR discussing widow/widower
syndrome....today feb. 16, 2006

esp. teh effects on partners
who are care givers

if the partner has dementia
alzheimers it takes an
especially high toll
on the longevity of
the surviving
partner..

however
after the spouse
dies, there is some
relief to the surving
partner...