Expert Reveals The Physical Impacts Of Heartbreak

Anyone that’s been through heartbreak will tell you that it feels all-encompassing. It’s sometimes a real shock to the system – and even when a separation was a long time coming, adjusting to your ‘new normal’ takes a huge toll.

However, while we’re singing along to our favourite heartache anthems, re-installing dating apps and leaning on our friends for emotional support, our bodies are also experiencing the more physical effects of heartbreak, too.

Mike Kocsis, hormone health expert at Balance My Hormones, told HuffPost UK: “A broken heart isn’t just an emotional experience, it’s a real physiological and psychological phenomenon.”

“When you experience intense emotional distress, like heartbreak, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These trigger the ‘fight-or-flight’ response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension,” Kocsis said.

“In extreme cases, this can lead to a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as ‘broken heart syndrome’.”

Symptoms of this can include chest pain and shortness of breath, similar to a heart attack.

Heartbreak also activates the same brain regions that process physical pain, said the hormone health expert.

“Research shows emotional pain lights up areas like the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula, which is why heartbreak can feel like an actual ache in your chest,” he said.

Love floods the brain with dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin – chemicals responsible for happiness and attachment, the expert noted.

But after a breakup, dopamine drops, leading to sadness and withdrawal; cortisol spikes, increasing stress and anxiety; and oxytocin levels plummet, intensifying feelings of loneliness.

Emotional stress can also overstimulate the vagus nerve, running from your brain to your heart and gut, the expert explained, which can cause chest tightness, nausea, and sometimes dizziness or fainting.

Chest pain or tightness: A sharp, crushing sensation, often described as a heavy weight pressing down.

Shortness of breath: Struggling to breathe deeply, even without physical exertion.

The NHS warns that the main symptoms of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are chest pain and breathlessness, which are very similar to signs of a heart attack. If you experience these, you should always call 999.

Stomach pain or nausea: A sinking feeling, cramps, or loss of appetite.

Fatigue or weakness: Exhaustion that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

Heart palpitations: A racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, making you acutely aware of your heart’s rhythm.

Heartbreak is hard-going and can impact people in different ways. The good news is there are things you can do to help manage the stress of it.

Here’s what Kocsis recommends:

“Engage in activities that reduce stress and promote relaxation – like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature – that can lower cortisol levels, and improve sleep quality, which is important for hormone balance,” he said.

“Sleep deprivation can exacerbate stress and disrupt hormone levels further, so aim for 7-9 hours of good sleep each night.”

“While it might be tempting to reach for a bottle of wine, it probably isn’t going to help – and it could make you feel worse. Alcohol can stimulate the release of cortisol, making you feel more anxious and depressed, and although it can increase dopamine levels, making you feel more relaxed, this effect is only temporary. Prolonged alcohol abuse can deplete dopamine levels and even decrease your ability to experience pleasure.”

“You might not fancy a gym session with a broken heart, but engaging in some gentle exercise is a powerful tool for managing your hormones and improving your overall wellbeing. As well as being a distraction from negative thoughts, exercise can regulate cortisol levels, and stimulate the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.”

“Talk to your friends and family about what you are going through; social connections can help reduce stress levels and feelings of isolation, positively affecting your hormonal health. Consider speaking to a therapist, who can provide the tools to cope with the emotional stress you’re going through and improve your overall wellbeing.”

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.