‘Broken heart syndrome’ at its peak during holidays; Here’s how to help

AUSTIN — The holiday season is often associated as a time of warmth, togetherness and cheer.

However, for others, it could be a time of reflecting on some painful memories, or it could be a reminder of that empty seat at the dinner table during the holidays.

Stress cardiomyopathy, otherwise known as "broken heart syndrome," can affect any member of the family, young or old.

Dr. Faraz Kureshi, is a clinical cardiologist with Austin Heart who practices at Heart Hospital of Austin. He explained that while the physical conditions of the heart experiencing this are different, doctors have found that the symptoms can at times be similar to that of a heart attack.

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Some of these symptoms may include a strong chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, fatigue and a feeling that your heart is pounding.

"The characteristic finding of these patients is essentially they come in and they present just like a regular heart attack. They'll have chest pain commonly, they'll have changes on their electrocardiogram which looks at the electrical signals of the heart, they can even have elevations in their cardiac enzymes," said Dr. Kureshi. "But essentially, when they take them into the cath lab to look at their coronary arteries, they're usually normal and there's no sense of obstructive disease or recent plaque that builds up in the arteries rupturing to cause that."

The reasons for stress cardiomyopathy vary.

"When we say intense, it's usually you know a sudden loss of a loved one, that devastating medical diagnoses conditions. Intense stress at home whether it's arguments or domestic abuse," explained Kureshi, who advised that if you or a loved one happens to experience this during the holidays, you should help make sure that person is getting the help they need in whatever form that may be.

"Just, you know, embrace it -- but it's easier said than done. Everything in moderation. Try to be as calm as possible and channel those energies and just make sure that physical and emotional help is being managed by someone if you're going through it. Seek care."