How to fix a broken heart
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, known as broken heart syndrome, causes the heart muscle to change shape and suddenly weaken. It is usually triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, such as losing a loved one.
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If affected by it patients face twice the risk of dying early compared with the general population.
So a broken heart can actually kill you.
Brain heart axis is the connection between emotional and physical health
The brain–heart axis is a dynamic two-way system where the brain modulates heart function through neural and hormonal signals, and the heart continuously informs the brain about the body’s internal state. This interplay is essential for maintaining homeostasis and is a key link between emotional well-being and cardiovascular health.
Emotional stress disrupts this axis by changing hormone signals that results in the heart behaving abnormally. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be triggered by extreme levels of this disturbance.
There is a fix
A recent study was presented that identifies a fix.
76 patients with takotsubo syndrome were randomly assigned to receive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an exercise programme, or standard care. All received all other care and treatment recommended by their cardiologist.
The CBT group had 12 one-to-one weekly sessions.
The exercise group went through a 12-week exercise course, which included cycling machines, treadmills, aerobics and swimming, gradually increasing in number of sessions and intensity each week.
The standard care group had no additional treatment.
Their hearts were scanned to study how patients’ hearts were producing, storing and using energy. They found the exercise group had improved. Which is not a surprise as this is the normal affect of exercise. More interestingly the CBT group also increased while the standard care group didn’t.
The average distance that patients that had CBT could walk in six minutes increased from 402 metres to 458 metres.
VO2 max – their body’s maximum oxygen consumption at peak exercise increased by 15% in the CBT group and 18% in the exercise group.
What this illustrates is that dealing with emotional stress can have a significant physical improvement.
Here are 2 learning points
If you are having high levels of emotional stress get professional help to reduce it. CBT is a great start point.
If you are affected by a heart condition, ensure you get support to reduce your emotional stress. The lower this is the better your heart will function. Don’t just rely on prescription drugs deal with the route cause.
Maintaining equilibrium of the Brain Heart Axis is a key factor in living better for longer. Learn to make this a key part of your long term health efforts.
Source: The Guardian Andrew Gregory 30th August 2025
