Question:
Can too much adrenaline cause a heart attack? Just read a story about a 79 year old who got scared to death by a bank robber.
Answer
Broken Heart Syndrome is a condition caused by acute severe stress and a sudden surge of stress hormones.. Some potential triggers of a broken heart syndrome include:
- News of an unexpected death of a loved one
- A frightening medical diagnosis
- Domestic abuse
- Natural disasters
- Job loss
- Divorce
- Physical stressors, such as an asthma attack, a car accident, or major surgery
If it occurs in someone with an pre-existing heart condition such as coronary artery disease it may well cause a fatal acute heart attack.
Hope this helps,
Dr T