Broken Heart Syndrome.

It appears that many scientists and health experts have proven that there is such a illness known as Broken heart syndrome. After doing much research into this illness I discovered that Miss Havisham may have had this illness well she certainly did in my mind along with some mental issues. The syndrome is proven to  have effects on a woman emotionally, physically,and mentally. Some effects are extremely serious and can lead to serious heart problems. I found it fascinating that a break up can have impact on your heart, that your emotions are indeed linked to your heart in a relationship. As well as your well being.

Book title:The physics of coronary Blood Flow.
Author:M.Zamir (2006)

Symptoms.

 Heart pressure or pain, palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms.

When the stress response is triggered by a break up or divorce, the body sends out a massive flooding of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. “Any time your adrenaline levels are higher, you’re more vulnerable to faster heart rate, palpitations and certain arrithymias, or abnormal heart rhythms, as well as skipped beats, light headedness, feeling your chest pounding, and a fluttering feeling in your neck,” says Dr. John M. Kennedy, a Marina Del Ray cardiologist and co-author of “The 15 Minute Heart Cure: The Natural Way to Release Stress and Heal Your Heart in Just Minutes a Day.” (www.today.com)

Women heart patients facing severe stress from marriage difficulties were found to have three times the risk of heart attack as women without such stress. Worse, there’s a syndrome that mimics heart attack called Takotsuba syndrome, or broken heart syndrome, in which an EKG, chest X-ray and blood work all indicate heart attack. But when a cardiologist goes inside the heart searching for the culprit blocked artery, the arteries are wide open. The stress response simulates heart attack symptoms. “Broken heart syndrome is an extreme form of what heartache can do to our bodies,” says Kennedy.  While it can be lethal, the heart muscle usually recovers within six months. (www.today.com)

Cold or flu.

The same stress symptoms can weaken your immune system causing the bacteria in your body to become weak and not defend your body.

Insomnia.

Extra stress and worry can cause people not to sleep. Whilst being heart broken can cause some people to sleep all day. 

Gastro upset (stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea,)

A lot of women cannot handle the stress of loosing someone who means a lot to them. Therefore a way a lot of us deal with these loses is to not eat. Not by choice but we tend to loose our appetites. Which can potentially lead to an eating disorder. Or women can go the other way and over eat still an eating disorder (Binge eating) causing the body to out on weight.

Loosing a loved one can also effect the skin causing eczema or psoriasis  

From looking into this syndrome it has helped me to gain a understanding of what Miss Havisham went through and how it can effect the body inside and eventually on the outside. I now have developed in my mind how I can start to create my character.