The Broken Heart Syndrome

A woman’s extreme abdominal pain points to gallstones. But why is her heart rate going through the roof?

By Eliezer J Sternberg
Aug 27, 2015 5:00 AMNov 22, 2019 7:41 PM
broken-heart.jpg

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Beep. Beep. Beep.

My pager sounds so much louder at night. The day’s commotion of physician rounds, family visits and discharges disappears into the quiet stillness of the night shift. The pager’s alarm-clock insistence, grating at the best of times, now bursts upon my eardrums like the siren of a squad car.

“Patient having 10/10 abdominal pain,” the message reads. “Can you come up and see her?”

Like fatigue or shortness of breath, abdominal pain is one of those symptoms that could represent anything. It could be as benign as constipation or as serious as a surgical emergency.

I study Elaine’s chart. She’s 41 and in good overall health, despite high cholesterol and gallstones. She was admitted with abdominal pain this morning, with the presumption that she had an inflamed gallbladder. However, an ultrasound was inconclusive.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.