What are the signs and symptoms of broken heart?

Broken heart syndrome is a diagnosis made by doctors. It resembles a heart attack in terms of its signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms can begin within minutes or even hours after the distressing event. They include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Diaphoresis (sweating)
• Dizziness

Emotions or physical reactions known as emotional stressors and physical stressors cause broken heart syndrome.

Emotional stressors include:

• Grief
• Fear
• Extreme anger
• Surprise

Physical stressors include:

• High fever
• Stroke
• Seizure
• Difficulty breathing (such as an asthma attack)
• Significant bleeding
• Low blood sugar