Heartbreak and the risk of cardiovascular disease

• Heartbreak is a severe emotional injury that stems from the extreme disappointment a person feels at losing a person they dearly love, whatever the reason may be.
• Heartbreak usually leaves people feeling sad and disappointed. If they are unable to recover and accept what has happened to them, it could eventually cause “broken heart syndrome,” a condition that causes an acute reduction in the heart’s functioning capabilities.
• Symptoms of broken heart syndrome are similar to those of ischemic heart disease, namely a sudden pain in the center of the chest, faintness, a drop in blood pressure, arrhythmia and breathing difficulties.

Should this group of people suffer a heartbreak, they are likely to pick up the phone and call their friends, inviting them out for a night on the town, “drinking today so that they can be forgotten about tomorrow.” The alcohol contained in drinks is ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, a processed chemical produced by fermenting rice, wheat, barley or fruit. The alcohol content in most beers is around 5%, while wines are about 12% and spirits are approximately 40%. Alcohol directly affects the central nervous system. Thoughts, emotions and feelings are all impacted by alcoholic drinks which, if consumed in large quantities, can lead to drowsiness or a loss of control. However, should alcohol be consumed in moderation, it has the potential to improve our mood.

When people drink in moderation, studies have found that it can actually be slightly beneficial to heart health. Research carried out by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, revealed that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol each day, meaning 2 glasses for men and 1 glass for women, resulted in cardiovascular disease survival rates that were up to 25 – 40% higher than in those who did not drink. According to the researchers, the reason for this was that drinking in moderation could increase the presence of HDLs, or good fats, in the bloodstream. However, for people who drank more than the recommended amounts, the effects were completely detrimental to health. This is because prolonged exposure to alcohol results in heightened triglyceride levels, causing blood to thicken and placing the person at risk of developing thrombosis throughout the body’s arterial system, especially around the heart and brain. Moreover, heightened triglyceride levels resulting from prolonged alcohol abuse actually cause a reduction in the levels of HDL cholesterol (good fats), placing the drinker at risk of developing coronary heart disease and pancreatitis. For this reason, anyone prone to bouts of drinking as a form of dealing with their problems should give careful consideration to its long-term effects on their heart health.

As soon as they are told that the relationship is over, this group experiences an extreme emotional reaction that causes them to cry uncontrollably. Some continue to cry for days on end, while others may feel down for months afterwards. If the situation does not improve, these people are ultimately at greater risk of suffering from broken heart syndrome than others because of their inability to accept their circumstances.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or Apical ballooning syndrome are all medical terms used to describe broken heart syndrome, which is what happens when the heart suddenly experiences a reduction in stroke function. The true causes are hotly debated but most of those in the medical profession consider its causes to be rooted in the hormone catecholamine, which is severely elevated during times of depression or stress, which in turn has an effect on the health of the coronary arteries.

In addition to the mental anguish caused by heartbreak, suffering to the extent that significant amounts of stress are allowed to accumulate could have long-term effects, including a heightened risk of developing a number of health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. For this reason, finding ways to alleviate that stress is an essential part of any break-up.

• Try to find the source of your stress before seeking a resolution.
• Sever any ties with the person who made you feel this way, freeing yourself from focusing on the past so that you may move forward.
• Get into a regular exercise regime as a form of distraction (regular meaning at least 30 minutes per session, no fewer than 5 days a week).
• Get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
• Organize regular meetings with friends for a chat that could help you get any issues off your chest (if your friends are willing to listen).
• Make sure your surroundings are warm and welcoming, for instance, rearranging your household furniture or work desk to increase relaxation, as well as growing home plants or gardening to help you feel refreshed.
• Get into watching funny movies or reading exciting books.
• Do not close yourself off from people, as there will come a day when your heart will need to be open in order to welcome in a new person.