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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Experienced Broken Heart Syndrome. Work Hard On Farm. Am I Damaging My Heart Or Help Repairing?

I experienced Broken Heart Syndrome last December, and when checked by my cardiologist in January, my heart had only repaired itself to 34%. Owning a farm with a lot of animals, has always kept me very busy. It's hard work, but I love it. While I don't move as fast as I used to, and while I sometimes have to take a nap, I still continue to clean the stable, repair fences, and all the other tasks that go along with living my life-style. My question is...am I damaging my heart by working as hard as I do or am I helping my heart repair itself? Also, is my life-expectancy shortened by having had this episode?
Wed, 23 Oct 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi there,

Thanks for your query.

Broken Heart Syndrome (BHS) is a transient weakening of the heart and usually recovers on its own over 7-10 days, or may take a few weeks to recover, usually without any significant damage to the heart.

It's already been a month since you had BHS. Further, though you have not mentioned, you do not feel breathless or get chest pain following strenuous physical exertion. This shows that your heart is showing steady return to normal state. You should carry on with your work and keep yourself busy so as to recover from the personal setback at the earliest.

As long as you do not have any symptoms, you may carry on with physical work. But do avoid extreme exertion for some time, till the ECG and 2-D Echo reports revert back to normal.

Lastly, once the doctor gives you a clearance, your life-expectancy will not be affected.

Dr. Rakesh Karanwal
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Experienced Broken Heart Syndrome. Work Hard On Farm. Am I Damaging My Heart Or Help Repairing?

Hi there, Thanks for your query. Broken Heart Syndrome (BHS) is a transient weakening of the heart and usually recovers on its own over 7-10 days, or may take a few weeks to recover, usually without any significant damage to the heart. It s already been a month since you had BHS. Further, though you have not mentioned, you do not feel breathless or get chest pain following strenuous physical exertion. This shows that your heart is showing steady return to normal state. You should carry on with your work and keep yourself busy so as to recover from the personal setback at the earliest. As long as you do not have any symptoms, you may carry on with physical work. But do avoid extreme exertion for some time, till the ECG and 2-D Echo reports revert back to normal. Lastly, once the doctor gives you a clearance, your life-expectancy will not be affected. Dr. Rakesh Karanwal