You may be able to exercise your way out of a broken heart syndrome

This also doesn’t mean that every stressful event may result in broken heart syndrome. Dr Fergus goes on to say that studies suggest that those who are dealing with this specific heart condition may also have a preexisting condition or underlying predisposition to heart issues. “[That stressful event] can make your cortisol stress levels go up,” she says. “It can affect the sympathetic nervous system, which causes these substances called catecholamines to skyrocket. [But] your heart can [also] malfunction because it [beats] too fast or it just doesn’t function well.”

What can exercise do for broken heart syndrome?

According to The Guardian, a study featured at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress has shown progress in finding a real cure for broken heart syndrome. The study was done with 76 patients diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Some were assigned cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) while others were assigned exercise activities such as aerobics, swimming, and cycling in addition to their standard care for their condition for 12 weeks. It was then found that they had more energy to accomplish physical activity and showed signs of improved health compared to the group that just received standard care. This led researchers to believe that exercise and CBT can reduce the more serious side effects of broken heart syndrome, such as heart failure and even death.

“People may not be as surprised that an exercise program helped heart patients, but it is intriguing that this study also showed that cognitive behavioural therapy improved heart function and patients’ fitness,” Sonya Babu-Narayan, MD, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation (which funded the trial presented), told The Guardian. “More research is needed to find out whether these approaches improve survival or symptoms over the long term.” [Vogue reached out to the European Society of Cardiology for comment on the study, as well as a copy of it for reference. It did not get back in time for publication.]

Dr Fergus says that, in general, those who experience heart failure, a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat, or a condition where their heart function is reduced will be prescribed cardiac rehab or exercise. Using that same logic, she says, it makes sense that these studies would draw the same conclusion for broken heart syndrome. Exercise allows more oxygen to reach the heart, strengthening it, she says, and it can boost your mood.