Broken Heart Syndrome – Symptoms & Treatments | MedStar Health

Browse this page

Broken heart syndrome is a medical condition that is triggered by intense emotions, stressful events, serious illness, or surgery. While this condition is usually temporary, some people may continue to experience symptoms even after the heart has recovered.

Symptoms 

General symptoms of include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Tests

Angiogram (Angiography)

An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels. 

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity. 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology used to create images of your heart and blood vessels.

Stress Tests

Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms, and chemically induced stress tests.

Treatments

Broken heart syndrome is usually treated with medications.

Our providers

Location: Change location Enter your location

Show Next 8 of Show All

Related services

Cardiology


Emergency Medicine


Heart and Vascular


Pharmacy


Primary Care


Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute

Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.