PLAINS TALK Lindsey Nielsen LMFT A BROKEN HEART CAN CAUSE MORE THAN EMOTIONAL PAIN Broken heart syndrome may sound like a plot device in a romantic movie, but it is a genuine condition, and it can be serious. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, as it is medically known, is a sudden, intense chest pain due to a surge of stress hormones after an emotionally trying event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or rejection. Symptoms and test results are similar to those of a heart attack, although it does not involve clogged arteries and can occur in an otherwise healthy person. In these cases, one part of the heart becomes enlarged and ceases normal function while the rest tries to make up for the loss, potentially causing short-term heart muscle failure. Women are more prone than men to experience the symptoms of broken heart syndrome, particularly Asian and Caucasian postmenopausal women. Often a person experiencing broken heart syndrome has shown no sign of heart disease and has been previously healthy. Plains Area Mental Health offers caring, experienced counseling services, Call our office today at 712-792-2991 or 800-325-1192. Our address is 318 South Maple St., Suite 1, Carroll. Helping People Cope With Everyday Living. P.S. Once stress-induced cardiomyopathy is treated, it is unlikely to reoccur. PLAINS AREA Mental Health Center Ming Ppie Cape Ede ting www.plainsareamentalhealth.org PLAINS TALK Lindsey Nielsen LMFT A BROKEN HEART CAN CAUSE MORE THAN EMOTIONAL PAIN Broken heart syndrome may sound like a plot device in a romantic movie, but it is a genuine condition, and it can be serious. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, as it is medically known, is a sudden, intense chest pain due to a surge of stress hormones after an emotionally trying event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or rejection. Symptoms and test results are similar to those of a heart attack, although it does not involve clogged arteries and can occur in an otherwise healthy person. In these cases, one part of the heart becomes enlarged and ceases normal function while the rest tries to make up for the loss, potentially causing short-term heart muscle failure. Women are more prone than men to experience the symptoms of broken heart syndrome, particularly Asian and Caucasian postmenopausal women. Often a person experiencing broken heart syndrome has shown no sign of heart disease and has been previously healthy. Plains Area Mental Health offers caring, experienced counseling services, Call our office today at 712-792-2991 or 800-325-1192. Our address is 318 South Maple St., Suite 1, Carroll. Helping People Cope With Everyday Living. P.S. Once stress-induced cardiomyopathy is treated, it is unlikely to reoccur. PLAINS AREA Mental Health Center Ming Ppie Cape Ede ting www.plainsareamentalhealth.org