Faizel Patel – 25/08/2020
Research has emerged that ‘broken heart syndrome’, otherwise known as stress cardiomyopathy, has increased fourfold since the start of the COVID-19pandemic.
The extended lockdown orders, having to isolate and cancel special events, and not seeing friends and family for an extended period has had a profound impact on our hearts.
In most cases, broken heart syndrome is triggered by severe stress and extreme emotions, such as having to deal with the sudden loss of a loved one, divorce or a major financial loss.
At first, patients seem like they may have experienced a heart attack, but further examination reveals no signs of blocked coronary arteries or history of cardiovascular disease.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Pharma Dyanmic’s Nicole Jennings says ‘broken heart syndrome’ has been observed by the medical community for many years.
“The symptoms are very similar to a heart attack, but luckily in most cases, its only temporary and similarly when someone goes through anything and faces immense and sudden stress on the body, people who go through divorce also sometimes present with these symptoms.”
Jennings says heart disease in general in South Africa is estimated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation that up to 80% of heart disease in the country can actually be prevented through a healthy lifestyle change.
Listen to the interview with Nicole Jennings
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