Rose Dotson talked to the Mayo Woman’s Club about heartbreak syndrome at its Tuesday meeting.

MAYO — The Mayo Woman’s Club had a heart-themed meeting Tuesday with Rose Dotson speaking about heartbreak syndrome and aroma therapy.

Heartbreak syndrome is also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy. The condition is usually triggered by stressful situations like death of a loved one, break up, a betrayal or refusal, shock, arguments, divorce, physical stressors, some medication and even being broken up with.

Dotson said some of the symptoms of heartbreak syndrome is similar to a heart attack like chest pain, aching, sweating, stomach ache, nausea, brain fog and shortness of breath, which causes some to think they are having a heart attack or flu.

They differ from each other because a heart attack is due to blockage of a heart artery where heartbreak syndrome is from a surge of stress hormones that can damage the heart.

Women, who are caucasian or Asian, tend to suffer from broken heart syndrome more often than men. Most people who have this are older than 50 and have had either a neurological condition or a psychiatric disorder.

Complications from broken heart syndrome are a backup of fluid into lungs, low blood pressure, disruptions in your heartbeat and heart failure.

“Family and friend support is the best way to help those who have broken heart syndrome,” Dotson said. “A lot of times we have someone lose their mate and we say were sorry, but we are afraid to touch the subject. We don’t know how to handle them is they cry and we need to push past it to help the best we can.”

Physical activity is another thing that can help like yoga or walking that will have those with broken heart syndrome out side. Thinking of happy and fun memories, volunteering, massages and essential oils.

“Each essential oils are for different things to help relax and help people,” Dotson said. “Lavender is for emotions. It helps you feel relaxed and mellow. Rose is also used for emotional comfort and creates a sense of peace and happiness. Geranium is for melancholy and depression. Then Sandalwood, which I brought and have in the diffuser, is for anxiety and depression.”