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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Chronic <keyword id="23666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="stress">stress</keyword> is a risk factor for <keyword id="24479" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart">heart</keyword> disease and it may lead to a <keyword id="6357661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart-attack">heart attack</keyword>. </li><li>Stress can cause high blood pressure, increase heart rate, and lead to overeating, smoking cigarettes, and drinking more alcohol — all of which are <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack">major risk factors for a heart attack</a>. </li><li>Sudden stress can also cause a cardiac event that feels like a heart attack, called <keyword id="2106387" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Takotsubo-cardiomyopathy">takotsubo cardiomyopathy</keyword> or "broken heart syndrome." </li><li>This article was reviewed by <a href="https://newyorkcardiac.com/dr-steven-reisman-cardiologist-nyc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steven Reisman, MD,</a> a cardiologist and the director of the <a href="https://newyorkcardiac.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center.</a> </li></ul>While stress can't directly cause a heart attack, it can have a major impact on your <keyword id="612120" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Heart-health">heart health</keyword>, and even trigger an event that feels just like a heart attack. Here's what you need to know about the effects of chronic stress on your heart, as well as a rare condition called stress-induced cardiomyopathy. <h2>Chronic stress is a risk factor for heart disease </h2>Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, or <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-hypertension">hypertension</a>, which is a <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-heart-disease">major risk factor</a> for a heart attack. According to a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3694268/">2010 study</a> in Current Hypertension Reports, chronic stress — including that from racial biases, poverty, or relationship troubles — contributes to the development of hypertension. About <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/heart-disease-stroke.htm">70% of people</a> having their first heart attack will have hypertension. Stress also raises your heart rate. Over time, a prolonged state of stress can have a negative impact on your heart. For example, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-can-i-lower-my-heart-rate-from-anxiety">anxiety is associated</a> with a higher risk of many types of heart disease: <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-coronary-heart-disease">coronary artery disease</a>, heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders like <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-tachycardia">tachycardia</a>. In addition, stress can enable unhealthy habits as people try to cope. These often include smoking cigarettes, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-heart">drinking more alcohol</a>, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-stop-emotional-eating">overeating</a> — all of which can <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health">negatively affect</a> your heart and increase your risk for a heart attack. <h2>Sudden stress can cause "broken heart syndrome," which feels like a heart attack</h2>One of the most dramatic ways stress can affect your heart is by causing <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome">takotsubo cardiomyopathy</a>, also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome." This <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack">feels just like a heart attack</a>, with symptoms including chest pain and shortness of breath, but it is a different condition altogether, says<a href="https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/findaprovider/provider/2551"> Lauren Gilstrap</a>, MD, a cardiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Those symptoms come on suddenly, triggered by a stressful emotional event, such as the sudden death of a loved one. "Its presentation isn't subtle," Gilstrap says. "People think they're having a heart attack."However, that's not the case. A heart attack occurs when an artery to the heart is blocked. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has no underlying blockages. Its exact causes aren't known, but are thought to be tied to a sudden hormonal surge from the body's fight or flight response. "Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a fundamentally different phenomenon than a heart attack," Gilstrap says. "The arteries are completely fine and the blood supply is completely normal, but all of a sudden, the heart doesn't squeeze."That means, suddenly, not enough blood is being pumped throughout the body, which is considered <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-heart-failure">acute heart failure</a>. Although the condition comes on suddenly, your heart may not pump efficiently for <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome">two to four weeks</a>, though most patients will return to normal heart function within two months. Most patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy will be treated with a heart failure protocol, including beta-blockers and other medications, Gilstrap says.Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is most common in women aged 58 to 75, who make up more than <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome">90% of cases</a>. Doctors aren't entirely sure why, but <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5762693/">one study</a> found that women experience higher rates of emotional stress. About 5% of women who think they're having a heart attack are actually experiencing stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Still, true heart attacks are more common than takotsubo cardiomyopathy: only about <a href="https://spiral.imperial.ac.uk:8443/bitstream/10044/1/25730/2/Nature_Review_Cardiology_Takotsubo%20review.pdf">2% of people</a> presenting at hospitals for symptoms of heart attack actually have takotsubo cardiomyopathy. <h2>How to manage stress and reduce your heart attack risk </h2>Reducing and managing stress through mindfulness, exercise, and hobbies is an <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health">important part</a> of overall <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword>, and it may improve cardiac health. However, making <keyword id="15482" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="lifestyle">lifestyle</keyword> changes to reduce stress is extremely difficult for people. Because of that, Gilstrap recommends her patients take a realistic look at the stressors in their lives and adjust what they can, without worrying too much about what's out of their control. "Life is complicated and people have demands from a variety of places," Gilstrap says. "It's about fixing the ones that can be fixed, building on that success, and empowering the patient to make even more positive change in that direction."<h1>Related stories about <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heart health</a>:</h1><ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-can-i-lower-my-heart-rate-from-anxiety">How to lower your heart rate from anxiety, or a panic attack</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-does-aspirin-help-a-heart-attack">How aspirin can help with a heart attack in 2 different ways</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-prevent-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to prevent a heart attack the first time and from happening again</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-silent-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is a silent heart attack? How to recognize the warning signs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What are the signs of a heart attack? How to know if you're at risk</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-are-hypertension-heart-disease-and-stroke-related" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-lower-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and exercise</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-do-if-having-a-heart-attack">What to do if you're having a heart attack after calling 911</a></li></ul>

Can stress cause a heart attack? It's a risk factor for heart disease

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Joe Garcia, the husband of slain Robb elementary teacher Irma Garcia, died Thursday morning, the family reported. </li><li>Joe died of a "broken heart" and "grief," his family said. </li></ul>Two days after his wife was killed in <a href="https://www.insider.com/texas-elementary-school-shooting-what-we-know-about-the-suspected-shooter-2022-5">the deadliest school shooting in a decade</a>, Joe Garcia died of what relatives say was "grief" and "a broken heart."His wife, teacher Irma Garcia, was a fourth-grade teacher at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. She was one of two adults killed Tuesday after an 18-year-old gunman stormed the school, killing 19 children. She and Joe had four children. Then, on Thursday morning, Joe died "as a result of a medical emergency," Irma's cousin wrote on a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/joe-irma-garcia?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer">GoFundMe</a> page for the teacher. "I truly believe Joe died of a broken heart and losing the <keyword id="11993342" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="love" source="Orion">love</keyword> of his life of more than 30 years was too much to bear," the cousin wrote. Joe "passed away due to grief," his nephew added on <a href="https://twitter.com/fuhknjo/status/1529870121023557632?s=20&amp;t=f1NjK-MKbQ4QWBA_SNm0Eg">Twitter</a> Thursday. Cardiologists say dying of "<keyword id="14040455" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="broken-heart-syndrome" source="Orion">broken heart syndrome</keyword>," also known as "takotsubo <keyword id="14040454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cardiomyopathy" source="Orion">cardiomyopathy</keyword>," is possible, but rare. <h2>What is broken heart syndrome?</h2>While <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/broken-heart-syndrome">broken heart syndrome</a> mimics <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-muscle-strain-heart-attack-symptoms-different-women-2018-12">symptoms of a heart attack</a>, like chest pain and shortness of breath, it doesn't cause muscle damage or blockages in the heart, Dr. <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/don-lloyd-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Lloyd-Jones</a>, president of the American Heart Association, told Insider. The condition is also called "takotsubo cardiomyopathy," so named by the Japanese doctors who discovered it because the ballooning of the heart's left ventricle resembles a takotsubo, an octopus trap, <a href="https://www.insider.com/rates-of-broken-heart-syndrome-way-up-during-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-7">Insider previously reported</a>. The rush of hormones behind stress cardiomyopathy is believed to "stun" the cells, temporarily inhibiting function. It can cause fatal complications if the heart can't keep up with blood flow and pressure builds.The death of a loved one, a serious medical diagnosis, a job loss or divorce, or even the shock of winning the lottery can trigger the condition. "We don't really understand the actual brain mechanism, but the brain response to intense emotion leads the sympathetic nervous system to release hormones to the heart," Harvard psychiatrist Dr. F. Gerard Moeller <a href="https://www.insider.com/dominican-republic-tourist-deaths-can-you-die-from-shock-2019-6">Insider's Gabby Landsverk previously reported</a>. "It usually happens with 24 hours of a severe stressor, such as someone close to you dying," he added. "It's not the standard stress that you have every day, or at work."Lloyd-Jones told Insider in a statement on Thursday that no one can know exactly how or why Joe died without reviewing his medical records. "What I can tell you is that research has shown extremely stressful events can have a severe and sometimes fatal impact on someone's heart," he said."It appears to be a function of exposure to high levels of catecholamines (adrenaline and similar hormones) that can overstress the heart," he wrote. "In most patients, there is a full recovery with medication support, but in rare cases it can lead to dangerous heart rhythms or heart failure symptoms that can lead to death."If you notice symptoms of a <keyword id="11899493" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart-attack" source="Orion">heart attack</keyword> in yourself or a loved one, call 911 immediately.

The husband of slain Uvalde teacher has died of 'a broken heart,' his family said. Doctors say death from grief is rare but real.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>While on a family vacation my husband died unexpectedly. </li><li>A couple of weeks after the tragedy, my symptoms got better, but that's not the case for everyone. </li></ul>My heart was fine before our family vacation. After we returned home, I had chest pain that needed to be monitored to ensure it wasn't dangerous.On that vacation, <a href="https://www.insider.com/kobe-bryant-my-husband-died-accident-worst-came-next-1-2020">my 37-year-old husband died</a>. While he was playing in the water with three of our six children, a wave hit him with enough force that his <a href="https://www.insider.com/lee-dingle-north-carolina-died-after-being-struck-by-wave-2019-7">neck broke in three places</a>. It was just a matter of time after that; his brain swelled, and eventually he no longer had any brain-stem activity.I had never heard about <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/broken-heart-syndrome">broken-heart syndrome</a> before his death. But I felt chest pain that didn't present as a panic attack. The medical explanation was that the stress and grief were making parts of my heart squeeze too hard.I'm a writer, and it will always bother me that no words suffice to express the level of grief I felt with his death. The concept of broken-heart syndrome made sense, though.I thought of the three or four hours that passed between my kids coming to get me and crying about Daddy hitting his head and the doctor sitting across from me and telling me I would be a widow. I thought of sitting by his side, knowing death was coming. I thought of having to say yes or no for each organ or tissue type, a required part of organ donation. I thought of calling my kids' psychologist to discuss how I would tell the kids, who waited for news back at the beach house, some of whom had other parents die before they joined our family. I thought of telling everyone — I was the first to know, so I was the one who shared the news, first privately and then publicly.My heart almost hurts writing about this now. A lot of people describe their chest hurting in grief. Right now, my heart aches in the typical sort of way, though, not in the way it did with broken-heart syndrome.<h2>Broken-heart syndrome is usually temporary</h2>As I learned about broken-heart syndrome, I learned two additional names for it, one literal and one literary. Both include the word cardiomyopathy, describing a disease of the heart muscle. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is usually what's written on medical charts. I like it because it's literal and logical. Stress can cause your heart muscles to freak out a little or a lot.The other name is more creative: takotsubo cardiomyopathy. A takotsubo is a pot used in Japanese fishing, in which an octopus is trapped by a small opening in the larger balloon-shaped pot. When Japanese doctors saw the shape of the left ventricle of the heart in deeply grieving patients presenting with stress-induced cardiomyopathy, they noted the shape was similar to the shape of the octopus-trapping pot.I like the name because of its figurative language but also because experiencing takotsubo cardiomyopathy felt as if an octopus were wrapped tightly around my heart.<h2>Some die of broken-heart syndrome</h2>I got better after a couple of weeks. Everyone isn't as fortunate.This week, a man named <a href="https://www.insider.com/husband-died-grief-irma-garcia-uvalde-teacher-how-broken-heart-2022-5">Joe Garcia died of a heart attack in Uvalde, Texas</a>. Two days earlier, his <a href="https://www.insider.com/texas-elementary-school-shooting-what-we-know-about-the-suspected-shooter-2022-5">wife, Irma Garcia, was killed</a> in her fourth-grade classroom, one of the casualties of the Uvalde school shooting. His family has shared that he died of a broken heart, most likely referring to this condition. Their four children will live with their own figuratively broken hearts, having both parents die suddenly and tragically in the same week.My heart aches for them, as I witness my six children navigating their own loss every day.Broken hearts are often symbolized with jagged lines through cartoon hearts, but as I learned and the Garcia family is learning, real broken hearts aren't cute emoji.We aren't made for this level of grief, and sometimes the heart can't survive the pain.<a href="https://www.insider.com/author/shannon-dingle">Shannon Dingle</a> is a disabled activist, freelance writer, sex-trafficking survivor, widow, and recovering perfectionist. Her first book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Living-Brave-Lessons-Hurt-Lighting/dp/0062959271">Living Brave</a>," was published by HarperOne in early 2021. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her six children.

I was told I had broken-heart syndrome after my husband died tragically. Here's what it's like.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Broken heart syndrome may cause chest pain and shortness of breath after a stressful event.</li><li>The symptoms may look similar to a heart attack, but the underlying problem is different.</li></ul>Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at New York University Langone, has seen multiple people heal from a broken heart. "I've seen this in somebody who was under a car, fixing the car, and it almost fell on him," she said. The man developed broken heart syndrome, a rare and usually temporary heart disorder that's brought on by stress — both physical and emotional.Reynolds in an expert on broken heart syndrome — also called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, after an <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Japanese-octopus-trap-takotsubo_fig6_259114905" target="_blank" rel="noopener">octopus trap</a> that resembles the misshapen heart. The syndrome occurs when a rush of stress hormones temporarily stuns part of the heart muscle and causes the organ to beat irregularly.<a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/broken-heart-syndrome">Broken heart syndrome</a> may look the same as a heart attack at first, and it's possible to <a href="https://www.insider.com/husband-died-grief-irma-garcia-uvalde-teacher-how-broken-heart-2022-5">die of a broken heart.</a> But a heart attack is far more likely to be fatal compared to the rare syndrome, Reynolds told Insider. <h2>Both emotional and physical stress can trigger broken heart syndrome</h2>About one-third of broken heart patients can point to an emotional stressor that triggered the syndrome, like an <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-had-broken-heart-syndrome-after-spouses-tragic-death-2022-5">unexpected death</a> or traumatic event, Reynolds said. "I've seen it from near-miss car accidents," she said. "I have treated somebody who was very concerned about a family member, even though that family member proved to be okay." Reynolds said even a joyful moment can set off the syndrome. "Broken heart syndrome is sometimes happy heart syndrome," she said. "It's occasionally triggered by happy events, like a wedding, or getting really good news." Physical stressors, such as severe illness or sudden injury, cause another third of broken heart syndrome cases. Reynolds said exercising at high altitudes or intensity also can push someone to the limits of their stress tolerance, as could surgery or a <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-who-had-stroke-after-chiropractors-visit-awarded-1-million-2023-1">stroke</a>.The remaining third of cases are attributed to a mixed bag of triggers, including the use of illegal stimulant drugs or certain prescription medications, according to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354617">Mayo Clinic</a>. <h2>Women are more likely than men to suffer broken heart syndrome</h2>Women older than 50 are the population most often affected by broken heart syndrome, but men can develop the condition too, Reynolds said. The risk increases for people with a history of anxiety or depression, according to <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17857-broken-heart-syndrome">Cleveland Clinic</a>.Fortunately, broken heart syndrome is treatable and often heals on its own, Reynolds said. Most people who experience it make a full recovery within weeks, and they're at low risk for it happening again.<h2>But stress can also trigger a heart attack — which is deadlier</h2>Because the condition is associated with stress, Reynolds said some people assume that chest pain after a traumatic event must be a symptom of broken heart syndrome. However, severe stress can also trigger a regular heart attack, she said.While broken heart syndrome has been known to resolve itself with time, heart attacks must be treated promptly to avoid long-term complications. Parts of the heart muscle can die if they are left without blood flow for too long, so even though the symptoms may be indistinguishable from broken heart syndrome, it's important to act with caution.Reynold recommends that people seek medical attention if they ever feel pain or discomfort in the chest area — which may extend to the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, back, and upper stomach — for 10 minutes or more."Just because you had a stressful event and then had chest pain, don't assume this is broken heart syndrome," Reynolds said. "There can be a missed opportunity to save somebody's life and salvage heart muscle."

A broken heart or a heart attack — here's how to tell the difference

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The most common signs of <keyword id="137391" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Broken-heart-syndrome" source="Orion">broken heart syndrome</keyword> are chest pain and shortness of breath.</li><li>The condition can be caused by a distressing event as well as intense feelings like grief.</li><li>Though it's short-term and treatable, you should seek medical help to prevent lasting <keyword id="24479" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart" source="Orion">heart</keyword> damage.</li></ul>A <keyword id="31289" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="broken-heart" source="Orion">broken heart</keyword> may conjure up bittersweet stories and love songs — but experiencing a traumatic event may actually cause cardiac consequences. Broken heart syndrome, also known as <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Takotsubo cardiomyopathy</a>, occurs when someone experiences sudden and acute physical or emotional stress, which can <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-science-behind-broken-heart-syndrome-201202144256" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rapidly weaken the heart's left ventricle</a>. Here's what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for broken heart syndrome.<h2>Understanding broken heart syndrome </h2>Broken heart syndrome, which was <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/a-different-kind-of-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first described in Japan during the 1990s</a>, is a condition where the left ventricle — the heart's primary pumping chamber — balloons out, while the base of the heart contracts. This may be dangerous because it negatively impacts <a href="https://www.svhhearthealth.com.au/conditions/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy#:~:text=Takotsubo%20cardiomyopathy%20is%20a%20temporary,ability%20to%20pump%20blood%20effectively." target="_blank" rel="noopener">the heart's ability to pump blood</a> properly. Conversely, a heart attack happens when blood flow, which brings oxygen to the heart, is <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks#:~:text=When%20a%20heart%20attack%20occurs,heals%20by%20forming%20scar%20tissue." target="_blank" rel="noopener">restricted or entirely cut off</a>. Although heart attacks and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are both types of muscle heart failure that can cause similar symptoms, there are some key differences worth noting. According to <a href="https://health.usnews.com/doctors/jay-woody-40422" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jay Woody</a>, MD, an emergency medicine physician and chief medical officer of <a href="https://www.iheruc.com/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Intuitive Health</a>, heart attacks are often caused by blockage from fatty build-up known as <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plaque</a> in the wall of the arteries — which can lead to a clot in the blood vessel that impedes blood flow to the heart muscle. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, meanwhile, is triggered by a severe emotional or physical response that affects the heart muscle directly. Broken heart syndrome can set in even if you're otherwise healthy, according to <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/is-broken-heart-syndrome-real" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the American Heart Association</a>, which is why it's important to understand the causes and symptoms. <h2>What causes broken heart syndrome?</h2>According to Woody, the name "broken heart syndrome" refers to the fact that the condition can be brought on by emotionally traumatic events that <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-cause-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negatively impact the physical heart</a>. He says the most common example of a stressor that can lead to this condition is <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-stages-of-grief" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grief</a> from losing a loved one but notes that intense feelings of fear, anger, surprise, and other emotions can also be a trigger. Some <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other events</a> that might cause this condition include:<ul><li>A significant and distressing medical diagnosis (or other bad news)</li><li>A car accident</li><li>A tense or explosive argument</li><li>Devastating financial loss</li><li>Domestic violence</li><li>Severe illness</li></ul>A <a href="https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2020/07/09/cleveland-clinic-researchers-find-rise-in-broken-heart-syndrome-during-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 study</a> discovered an uptick in patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy since the coronavirus outbreak — reaching 7.8% compared to 1.7% before the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, patients with this condition during the pandemic were found to have a longer hospital stay than those hospitalized pre-pandemic. Researchers noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has added multiple layers of stress into people's lives — not only are many dealing with economic changes, emotional issues, loneliness, and isolation, but they're also grappling with constant concerns about themselves or their loved ones becoming ill. They concluded that this additional stress can have physical effects, as evidenced by the increasing diagnoses of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.Broken heart syndrome can also be <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">caused by physical stressors</a>, including:<ul><li>Difficulty breathing (due to an <a href="https://www.insider.com/am-i-having-an-asthma-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asthma attack</a> or <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-copd">emphysema</a>)</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-hypoglycemia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Low blood sugar</a></li><li>A drop in <a href="https://www.insider.com/low-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blood pressure</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-stroke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stroke</a></li><li>Seizure</li><li>High <a href="https://www.insider.com/fever-temperature-symptoms-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fever</a></li><li>Significant blood loss</li><li>Severe injuries</li></ul>Even positive events, like walking into a surprise party or winning the lottery, can bring on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy."Regardless of the cause of stress, the body's response is similar: to secrete a large amount of the <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stress hormone adrenaline</a>," says <a href="https://www.columbiadoctors.org/jennifer-h-haythe-md" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jennifer Haythe</a>, MD, a critical care cardiologist at Columbia University Center. "In some instances, this can lead to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which can mimic a heart attack."While Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is seen in men and younger women, a <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1406761?query=featured_home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015 study</a> found that a staggering 89.8% of cases occurred in women between the ages of 58 and 75. The most common triggers were found to be physical (36%), followed by emotional shock (27.7%). Notably, a trigger could not be found in 28.5% of patients. The study also revealed that patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy were almost twice as likely as those with <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/acute-coronary-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acute coronary syndrome</a> (such as heart attack) to have a psychiatric or neurological disorder. Latest research: A <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/broken-heart-syndrome-is-on-the-rise-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> published in 2021 found that diagnoses of broken heart syndrome are increasing much more among women ages 50 to 74 than younger women or men of any age. Scientists say this illustrates that women middle-aged and older are at increased risk of developing the condition. <h2>Common signs and symptoms </h2>"Patients who have broken heart syndrome may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure very shortly after an extremely stressful event," says Woody.According to <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Johns Hopkins Medicine</a> and the<a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiomyopathy/what-is-cardiomyopathy-in-adults/is-broken-heart-syndrome-real" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> American Heart Association</a>, other symptoms and signs of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy include:<ul><li>Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)</li><li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/cardiogenic-shock#:~:text=Cardiogenic%20shock%20is%20a%20serious,shock%20is%20a%20heart%20attack." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cardiogenic shock</a></li><li>Diaphoresis (sweating)</li><li>Dizziness</li></ul>These symptoms may set in anywhere from minutes to hours after someone has gone through a physically or emotionally stressful event."Some people describe it as feeling like an elephant is sitting on their chest," says Haythe. "Sweating, jaw pain, left arm pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, palpitations, and <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320317" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mid-epigastric discomfort</a> are all possible symptoms as well."If you feel any new symptoms in your chest, or have crushing chest pain or shortness of breath, experts urge you to seek medical attention immediately."<a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heart attacks</a> have similar symptoms as broken heart syndrome, so it's important to get a diagnosis because heart attacks can be fatal," says Woody.When a patient experiences symptoms similar to broken heart syndrome, medical professionals will typically <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/a-different-kind-of-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rely on imaging studies</a>, blood tests, and cardiac biomarkers to observe any potential abnormalities before making an official diagnosis. Woody says that clinicians often use a <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/cardiac-mri" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cardiac MRI</a> or administer an echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound) that determines whether or not there is <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/9/1/136/2403130" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ballooning in the left ventricle</a>, thus signifying Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. They may also use coronary angiograms, a procedure that uses X-ray imaging, to rule out a heart attack.<h2>Can you die from a broken heart? </h2>A <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1406761?query=featured_home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015 study</a> revealed that the rate of death for patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was 5.6% per year. While death is rare, heart failure occurs in roughly <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20% of patients</a>. While it can take up to two to three months to <a href="https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/recovering-from-a-heart-attack/#:~:text=Most%20patients%20stay%20in%20the,a%20return%20to%20normal%20activities." target="_blank" rel="noopener">recover after a heart attack</a>, Woody says a person will typically recover from broken heart syndrome within one to six weeks, making a full recovery within one to two months.Treatment for broken heart syndrome will depend largely on which symptoms the patient is experiencing, and that, according to Woody, will dictate the severity of the condition. He states that clinicians will often recommend medications like <a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics</a>. They may also give aspirin to patients who show plaque buildup in their artery walls. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors can be effective in reducing the effects of stress hormones, thereby helping to prevent a recurrence. <a href="https://www.insider.com/morning-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meditation</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/does-exercise-make-you-happy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercise</a> are also proven to be <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax#:~:text=Exercise%2C%20health%2C%20and%20stress&amp;text=Many%20forms%20of%20exercise%20reduce,and%20reduce%20your%20blood%20sugar." target="_blank" rel="noopener">effective strategies for reducing stress</a>, which may play a role in triggering the disorder.Some of the complications that can result from broken heart syndrome, according to Woody, include fluid in the lungs or irregular heartbeat. Obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle and <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rupture of the ventricle wall</a> are also possible, though rare."Symptoms can be treated effectively by medical professionals and are usually not long-lasting," he adds. "Broken heart syndrome can be dangerous, but the condition improves rapidly, which means patients with a naturally strong heart shouldn't experience lasting effects."<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>Broken heart syndrome can be brought on by both physical and emotional stressors. The most common signs of this condition are chest pain and shortness of breath — and you can experience these symptoms regardless of whether or not you have any history of heart disease. Although broken heart syndrome is short-term and easily treatable, Woody says it's still important to seek medical support to prevent it from causing lasting heart damage, which can lead to other symptoms.Haythe says that people who have experienced one episode of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are at risk for a recurrence. However, with quick recognition, exclusion of other causes, and proper treatment, she says this condition has an "excellent prognosis," with most patients making a complete recovery.

Can you die from a broken heart? How physical and emotional stress can cause broken heart syndrome

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rates of "broken heart syndrome," a life-threatening cardiac condition tied to stress, have been significantly higher during the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> pandemic than previous periods, according to a new study. </li><li>Experts think the condition can be caused by any sudden and intense emotion, from heartbreak to shock. </li><li>While most people recover, the findings emphasize the importance of self-care during the pandemic and beyond. </li></ul>Rates of "broken heart syndrome," a life-threatening cardiac condition thought to be caused by sudden and intense emotions, are way up during the coronavirus, a <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2768093">recent study found</a>. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open July 9, found that 7.8% of patients presenting to two Ohio hospitals with heart-attack-like symptoms during the current pandemic had the syndrome, also called stress cardiomyopathy. That's significant compared to the just 1.5% to 1.8% of similar patients who had the syndrome in four periods prior to the pandemic. The findings help illustrate just one way the coronavirus is harming people's <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword>, even if they don't actually contract COVID-19."The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about multiple levels of stress in people's lives across the country and world," including related to the illness itself, the economy, and loneliness, lead study author Dr. Ankur Kalra, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist, <a href="https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2020/07/09/cleveland-clinic-researchers-find-rise-in-broken-heart-syndrome-during-covid-19-pandemic/">said in a press release</a>.That, he added, can have "can have physical effects on our bodies and our hearts." <h2>The symptoms weren't directly caused by COVID-19</h2>For the study, which included 1,914 patients, Kalra and colleagues compared hospital admissions data between March and April 2020 with four control groups prior to the pandemic. They also checked to see if any of the people who presented to the hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic with heart-attack-like symptoms had COVID-19 (they didn't).That suggests "an indirect, psychological, social, and economic pandemic-related stress mechanism behind the disease process," the authors write. <h2>Broken heart syndrome is thought to be caused by intense emotion</h2>Stress cardiomyopathy mimics <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-muscle-strain-heart-attack-symptoms-different-women-2018-12">symptoms of a heart attack</a>, and can be just as deadly, according to a Harvard Health Blog post by <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/stress-cardiomyopathy-a-different-kind-of-heart-attack-201509038239">Dr. Deepak Bhatt</a>, cardiologist and editor at Harvard Medical School's publishing division who wasn't involved in the study.The condition is also called "takotsubo cardiomyopathy," so named by the Japanese doctors who discovered it because the ballooning of the heart's left ventricle resembles a takotsubo, an octopus trap. A typical <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-a-heart-attack-2019-3">heart attack</a> kills cells due to blocked arteries. The rush of hormones behind stress cardiomyopathy is believed to "stun" the cells, temporarily inhibiting function. It can cause fatal complications if the heart can't keep up with blood flow and pressure builds.The death of a loved one, a serious medical diagnosis, a job loss or divorce, or even the shock of winning the lottery can trigger the condition. "We don't really understand the actual brain mechanism, but the brain response to intense emotion leads the sympathetic nervous system to release hormones to the heart," Harvard psychiatrist Dr. F. Gerard Moeller <a href="https://www.insider.com/dominican-republic-tourist-deaths-can-you-die-from-shock-2019-6">previously told Insider</a>. "It usually happens with 24 hours of a severe stressor, such as someone close to you dying," he added. "It's not the standard stress that you have every day, or at work."<h2>Most people recover, but self-care is important </h2>Most patients survive after being treated with medications to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate.In fact, a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002870312002943">study</a> of 24,701 cardiomyopathy patients found that less than 5% of cases were fatal. The vast majority who died had "underlying critical illnesses."Unlike a heart attack, stress cardiomyopathy only temporarily disrupts the heart and rarely causes permanent damage. Most patients return to normal function within 14 days with no complications, according to<a href="https://uihc.org/health-topics/ask-expert-what-broken-heart-syndrome"> Dr. Milena Gebska</a> of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. <div type="image" title="mental health depression anxiety stress disorder ADD panic OCD mood trauma sad tired cox 22" height="1667" width="2500" msid="77009640" hostid="261"></div>But the current study, which found no differences in mortality between pandemic-era patients and earlier ones, highlights how important it is for people, COVID-19 patients or not, to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cope-with-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-psychologist-2020-2">take care of their mental health</a> during the pandemic — and beyond. Experts recommend exercise and meditation, attempting to maintain a routine, reaching out to loved ones, seeking professional help, and focusing on what you're grateful for.Keeping a gratitude list "helps us to stop narrowly focusing on potential threats or negative elements in our environment, which our limbic brain ... is wired to do," Julie Pike, a licensed psychologist in North Carolina, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cope-with-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-psychologist-2020-2#try-to-focus-on-what-you-are-grateful-for-not-wish-you-would-change-or-go-away-6">previously told Insider</a>. "Widening our perspective and recognizing that while things are challenging and uncertain, there are also good things in our daily lives" can make a big difference. <ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cope-with-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-psychologist-2020-2">12 ways to cope with coronavirus anxiety, according to psychologists</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/dominican-republic-tourist-deaths-can-you-die-from-shock-2019-6">A Dominican Republic official said an American woman probably died 'from the shock' of seeing her fiancé dead. Here's how that's possible.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-patients-and-survivors-suffer-from-panic-attacks-anxiety-2020-4">Coronavirus patients are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. Experts worry the psychological effects could linger.</a></li></ul>

Rates of 'broken heart syndrome' are way up during the coronavirus pandemic, a study found

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>), about 647,000 Americans die from <keyword id="22908" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart-disease">heart disease</keyword> a year — a total of one in every four deaths — making it the leading cause of death in the US. Heart disease encompasses a range of <keyword id="612120" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Heart-health">heart health</keyword> problems. For example, you may know someone who has had a <keyword id="6357661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="heart-attack">heart attack</keyword>, but this is just one of many types of heart disease. Most of the time, heart disease does not display obvious symptoms, which can make it difficult to recognize. But with routine doctor visits, you can understand your risk for heart disease and work to prevent serious <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> complications. Here's what you should know. Table of Contents<h2>Types of heart disease</h2>Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that directly affect the heart muscle, or the surrounding arteries, which supply the heart with blood. Multiple types of heart disease can occur together, and having one can increase your risk for developing another. <h3>Arrhythmia </h3>An arrhythmia is when there are irregularities with your heart rate or rhythm. Your heart rate is controlled by the sinus node — a group of cells located on top of your heart that send electrical signals to keep the heart beating properly. Usually, <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-good-resting-heart-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a normal resting heart rate</a> is around 60 bpm to 100 bpm. If it's consistently higher or lower, it may indicate that your heart's electrical system is malfunctioning. These are the two main types of arrhythmias: <ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-tachycardia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tachycardia</a>. This is when your heart beats too fast. It is characterized by a resting heart rate of 100 bpm or more. Atrial fibrillation, or <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-afib" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AFib</a>, is the most common type, and according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, about 2.7 to 6.1 million US adults have it. </li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-bradycardia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bradycardia</a>. This is when your heart beats too slowly. It is characterized by a resting heart rate of 50 bpm or less. However, in some cases, bradycardia can be a sign of good health, as elite athletes often have resting heart rates as low as 40 bpm. </li></ul><h3>Coronary heart disease </h3>Coronary heart disease, also known as <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-ischemic-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ischemic heart disease</a>, is when your coronary arteries become damaged over time. It is the most common type of heart disease, and according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, it led to more than 365,000 deaths in 2017. Usually, the coronary arteries bring blood to your heart, providing it with oxygen and vital nutrients. But <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-coronary-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronary heart disease</a> occurs when cholesterol builds up and narrows these arteries — a process called atherosclerosis — and blocks blood flow to the heart. <h3>Heart attack </h3>A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted, damaging the heart muscle. According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the US. About 14% of heart attacks are fatal. Heart attacks are typically not as dangerous as cardiac arrest, which are fatal 89% of the time. Read more about <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-the-difference-between-heart-attack-and-cardiac-arrest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest</a> here. There are often clear <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-the-signs-of-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs of a heart attack</a>, such as: <ul><li>Oppressive discomfort or heaviness in the chest, often in the center </li><li>This chest discomfort is usually paired with pain in the neck, throat, jaw, or left arm </li></ul>While anyone can feel these main symptoms of a heart attack, women may be more likely to feel other, more subtle symptoms. This chart breaks down the difference in heart attacks signs for males and females: <div type="image" title="heart attack symptoms males females" height="1254" width="1667" msid="76989689" hostid="261"></div>If you think you or someone you know is <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-do-if-having-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">having a heart attack</a>, you should call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. However, about 20% of heart attacks don't have any clear symptoms — this is called <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-silent-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a silent heart attack</a> — and may go entirely unnoticed.<h3>Congenital heart disease </h3><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-congenital-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congenital heart disease</a> is when you are born with a heart defect. While there are many different types, it is mainly the result of poor heart valve or blood vessel development while in the womb. According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/documents/chd-tracking-and-research-factsheet.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, about 1.4 million US adults and 1 million children are living with congenital heart disease. While people with congenital heart disease don't always show symptoms, doctors look for signs like <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-heart-murmur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a heart murmur</a>, or abnormal blood flow through the heart for a diagnosis. <h3>Heart failure </h3><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-heart-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heart failure</a>, or congestive heart failure, is when your heart function deteriorates over time and no longer pumps blood efficiently. It often occurs in people with coronary heart disease who have ignored treatment for years. However, heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped beating. According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_failure.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CDC</a>, about 6.5 million US adults live with the condition. <h2>Symptoms of heart disease</h2>Most of the time, heart disease develops without any obvious symptoms. That's why it's important to visit your doctor for routine check-ups, as they'd be able to determine whether you might be at risk. In fact, the signs of a heart attack are sometimes the only symptoms of heart disease. But some people may feel less oppressive chest pain at other times. This is called <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-angina">angina</a>, and it often occurs after physical exertion, getting worse over time as your heart disease develops. But it can be difficult to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-know-if-chest-pains-are-serious" target="_blank" rel="noopener">know if your chest pains are serious</a> and symptomatic of heart disease. For example, indigestion or heartburn, as well as <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-anxiety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anxiety</a>, can produce chest pain that may be mistaken for angina or a heart attack. <h2>Risk factors </h2>To <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">know if you have heart disease</a>, it's important to understand your risk factors. Overall, two of the main <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">causes of heart disease</a> are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when blood pumps too forcefully, hardening your arteries and leading to decreased blood flow to the heart. About 70% of people having their first heart attack will have hypertension. Learn more about the risks of <a href="https://www.insider.com/high-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high blood pressure</a> here. A doctor will be able to measure <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-read-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blood pressure readings</a> at a routine check-up. These numbers can help indicate your risk for developing heart disease: <div type="image" title="know your blood pressure readings graphic" height="1169" width="1667" msid="76989692" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-high-cholesterol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High cholesterol</a> can also limit blood flow through a disease called atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in your arteries. Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease. The following factors can lead to high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and greatly increase your risk for heart disease: <ul><li>Lack of exercise. It's important to keep your heart pumping, and if you don't exercise regularly, a sedentary lifestyle can raise blood pressure and cholesterol and make heart disease more likely. </li><li>Unhealthy diet. Eating foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, as well as sodium, can raise blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, frequently <a href="https://www.insider.com/is-skipping-breakfast-bad-for-your-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skipping meals like breakfast can be bad for your heart.</a> </li><li>Alcohol use. Drinking excessive amounts of <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alcohol can negatively affect the heart</a>, though moderate use may have some heart health benefits. </li><li>Smoking. Cigarette use is one of the main predictors of heart disease. And while the jury is still out on <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-marijuana-do-to-your-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what marijuana does to your heart</a>, experts believe that smoking any substance can increase risk. </li><li>Chronic stress. Over time, <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-cause-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stress may contribute to a heart attack</a>. Sudden stress also can cause takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which feels like a heart attack, but the artery isn't actually blocked. </li><li>Lack of sleep. Consistently getting <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-lack-of-sleep-cause-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less than seven hours of sleep each night can increase your risk for heart disease</a>. </li><li>Genetics. While high blood pressure is influenced by genetics, <a href="https://www.insider.com/is-high-cholesterol-genetic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high cholesterol can often be fully genetic</a>, known as familial hypercholesterolemia. </li></ul>Other underlying health conditions — such as <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-considered-obese" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obesity</a>, diabetes, and kidney disease — can also increase your risk for heart disease. <h2>Prevention </h2>Even if you have many of these risk factors, it's not too late <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-prevent-heart-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to prevent heart disease</a>. The best way to do this is by taking steps to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-lower-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower blood pressure</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-lower-cholesterol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower cholesterol</a>. Here's how: <ul><li>Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day. A combination of stretching exercises, strength training, and aerobic exercise (cardio) throughout the week is recommended. </li><li>Lose weight. Excess weight makes your heart work harder. In fact, cutting just 5% to 10% of your body weight can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, helping to ease the burden on your heart. </li><li>Eat healthier. <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-foods-lower-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Foods that can help lower blood pressure</a> and cholesterol include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and fish. Both the <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-dash-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DASH diet</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-mediterranean-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mediterannean diet</a> are recommended for heart health. </li><li>Quit smoking. Research has found that giving up cigarettes can reduce your risk of heart disease by 39%. </li></ul><h2>Treatment </h2>Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease. But if you've been diagnosed, there are many ways to treat your condition and manage a healthy life. It will be necessary to get regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and adopt eating plans and other lifestyle habits that keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Many people will also need the help of medication or surgery to prevent more serious health complications, or death. <h3>Medication </h3>These medications are prescribed to treat different aspects of heart disease: <ul><li>Beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors can help <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-control-high-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">control high blood pressure</a>. </li><li>Statins can help lower cholesterol and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-lower-triglycerides" target="_blank" rel="noopener">triglycerides</a>, which are another important measure of heart health. </li><li>Blood thinners can help reduce your risk for <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-rid-of-blood-clots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blood clots</a> and prevent complications from heart disease, like <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-stroke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a stroke</a>. In addition, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-does-aspirin-help-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aspirin can help treat a heart attack</a> because it is a blood thinner. </li></ul><h3>Surgery </h3>In advanced cases of heart disease, you may need surgery to fix blocked arteries or an irregular heartbeat. Here are the most common and effective surgical procedures for heart disease: <ul><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-stent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stent</a>. This small tube is placed to prop open an artery during an angioplasty, a minor surgery that is often used to restore blood flow <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-happens-after-a-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">after a heart attack</a>. Follow our guides to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-prepare-for-stent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prepare for stent surgery</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-recover-from-stent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recover from</a> the procedure. </li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-a-pacemaker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pacemaker</a>. This small device is implanted in your chest and sends electrical signals to the heart in order to correct any irregularities. You may need it if you have an arrhythmia, such as bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat. </li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-bypass-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bypass surgery</a>. Coronary artery bypass grafting, or bypass surgery, is used to redirect blood flow around a blocked artery. It's one of the most common operations in the US and is used to treat coronary heart disease. Follow our guides to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-prepare-for-bypass-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prepare for bypass surgery</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-recover-from-bypass-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recover from</a> the procedure. </li></ul><h2>Takeaways </h2>Heart disease is the biggest killer in the US, but it doesn't have to be. To reduce your risk for serious health complications, it's important to take your heart health seriously. That means routinely checking in with your doctor about blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and following the guidelines for a heart healthy lifestyle. Medical experts know how to fight against heart disease, and by following these recommendations, you can, too.This article <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was medically reviewed</a> by <a href="https://health.usnews.com/doctors/john-osborne-31521" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Osborne</a>, MD, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-based <a href="https://sothcardiology.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State of the Heart Cardiology</a>.

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