Is having a broken heart a medical condition? Kuya Kim answers

Can you really have a broken heart, medically speaking? Kuya Kim Atienza answered this question on Tuesday's "24 Oras."

He talked to a woman named Kat, who is heartbroken because she and her fiancé broke up.

"Ang pinaka-strugggle ko rin ay hindi ako makakain, bumagsak talaga ko from 57 kilos to 47 kilos. Medyo mahirap humanap ng reason to start your day. Masakit talaga 'yon sa dibdib, literally," Kat said.

Kuya Kim said there is indeed a medical condition called stress cardiomyopathy (takotsubo) or better known as broken heart syndrome.

It can happen when people feel intense stress or emotion. The heart does not literally break, but because of stress, the form of the heart may change, it may weaken, and the heartbeat may become irregular.

According to cardiologist Dr. Riza Cruz-Nagaño, the symptoms are like a heart attack. Your chest may hurt, suddenly, it may be hard to breathe, and you may find yourself gasping for air.

The cause of broken heart syndrome may not be limited to heartbreak in a relationship, but also loss of a loved one, stress from a natural calamity, or stress from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Kuya Kim, the heart enlargement that may happen when one experiences broken heart syndrome is only temporary.

Dr. Cruz-Nagaño added that stress cardiomyopathy is manageable. They give medicine to help stabilize the patient.

To prevent broken heart syndrome, one needs to manage his or her stress.

The doctor also recommended getting help from a medical practitioner, psychologist, or psychiatrist to help with what you're going through, especially if you have anxiety or depression.

For her part, Kat said, "Sa ngayon, ang focus ko ay healing talaga. Hindi ko naman din minamadali 'yong sarili ko na mag-heal para wala akong regrets na hindi ko hinarap 'yong pain na 'yon."

"Kung may natutunan man ako hindi ka talaga magiging mabuting partner kung hindi mo inaayos sarili mo," she added.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News