DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- A broken heart is not good for one’s health and can trigger a negative heart condition.

According to Dr. Elfred Batalla, head of adult cardiology at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Heart Institute, there is a disease called the Broken Heart Syndrome.

“That is Takutsubo disease; that is scientific, and that is due to stress. If you are brokenhearted and it causes you stress, it can definitely affect you. That is why you have to manage your stress,” Batalla said.

He added, “For example, if you are brokenhearted, your relationship fails. It will affect you emotionally; that could be a cause of heart disease.”

Takutsubo cardiomyopathy is a condition when heart muscles weaken because of intense emotional stress. Among the common causes are death or loss of a loved one, a failed relationship, or rejection.

In a Social Weather Station survey held in the fourth quarter of 2022, about 30 percent of Filipinos experienced unreciprocated love and felt emotional pain

Non-modifiable causes include age, gender, with males more likely to suffer from heart disease, and genetics.

For modifiable causes, Batalla said people can start regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking and vaping as much as possible, avoid alcohol, control hypertension and diabetes (for persons with hypertension and diabetes), control stress, and live a healthy lifestyle.

According to him, the number one cause of heart disease is high cholesterol levels, followed by diabetes. (RGA/PIA Davao)