What is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Senior Care in Warren County VA
Everyone has heard the saying “broken heart” or even that they are “dying of a broken heart.” While many people automatically think of this as hyperbole or just a phrase that people use to talk 
about emotional pain that they are feeling, it is important for you as a family caregiver to know that this is not always the case. There is a condition known as “broken heart syndrome” that is not only very real, but potentially very impactful to your elderly loved one’s health and well-being.
Also referred to as “stress cardiomyopathy”, broken heart syndrome is a temporary heart condition that is related to periods of severe, sudden, and intense emotional impact. When this situation occurs, the heart experiences severe weakness and changes in functioning. Frequently elderly adults who are suffering from this type of condition will experience symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath that will make them feel as though they are having a heart attack.
Broken heart syndrome generally occurs within just a few hours after a severe emotional situation, such as:
- Death of a loved one
- Extreme fear
- Surprise
- Shock
- Stroke
- Seizure
- Significant bleeding
- Marked difficulty breathing
Broken heart syndrome is temporary, but that does not mean that it is not dangerous. This condition can be very dangerous if your elderly loved one is already dealing with another health complication such as congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, previous heart attack, or is in shock. Fortunately this condition does tend to improve rapidly and most people will have completely gotten over the event within a few days. This means that if they are dealing with another heart condition or other health problem that might exacerbate the complications of broken heart syndrome, a knowledgeable and supportive doctor and medical team can help them to handle this additional stress, manage the muscle weakness, and protect them from potentially catastrophic results that can come from experiencing broken heart syndrome.
If your aging parent has been dealing with cardiovascular concerns or any other health complications, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a fully customized schedule that takes into consideration not just their individual needs, challenges, and limitations, but also their personality, lifestyle, and goals, so that they can help your parent to live the quality of life that they desire and deserve. This also ensures that they are able to stay safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy, and maintain as much independence and activity as possible as they age in place. When it comes to dealing with challenging health conditions such as heart problems, this care provider can help your senior understand what they are dealing with and the instructions given to them by their doctor so that they can comply with prescriptions and lifestyle guidelines to help them support better heart health now and into the future.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a professional senior care in Warren County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 369-6677. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/home/ovc-20264165
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/asc/faqs.html
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