I was in 4th year high school when I first felt my painful dysmenorrhea. Because it was so intense, my mom and I went to the doctor for a check-up. When the OB-Gyne asked about the symptoms, I told her that I also felt chest pains. I was surprised that she had to refer me to a cardiologist rather than treat my chief complaint.
A week after, I went to Philippine Heart Center for a check-up. I underwent 2D- Echo (ultrasound for the heart), ECG and some blood tests. It was found out that I have an irregular heartbeat and a little problem with the valves of my heart which causes the palpitations. I was advised to have a regular exercise and take some vitamins for my heart. When I reached 4th year college, I met a cardiologist while we were on our duty in a hospital. My clinical instructor asked the cardiologist, who happened to be the attending physician of my patient in the ICU, to check me up because of my palpitations. I had my second 2D echo that time. My new cardiologist who is also from PHC told me that it’s just a little problem that doesn’t require an immediate treatment. All I have to do is to have regular exercise like what the first cardiologist advised. Even though my cardiologist told me that I have nothing to worry about, I still assumed that I have a heart problem because I still felt palpitations from time to time.
There was an instance that I became really sad and that I have to hide it from my family. I kept it and cried silently every night. I had palpitations, chest pain and numbing of fingers. I, then, assumed it is because of the little heart problem.
A week before I underwent surgery, I read an article in a magazine about Broken Heart Syndrome while waiting for my turn in the clinic. While reading the article, I realized that maybe that is what I am going through. So when I got home, I tried to search more about Broken Heart Syndrome in the internet.
Broken Heart Syndrome is also called Tako-tsubo Syndrome or Tako-tsubo Cardiomyopathy (inflammation of heart muscles). The most common symptom of Broken Heart Syndrome is chest pain or shortness of breath. It is said that there is no standard treatment for this. Only support measures are done. Support measures mean helping the patient to voice out his or her hidden emotions because Broken Heart Syndrome is thought to be triggered by emotional stress.
Some people tell us not to keep our feelings. We have to vent it out in order for us to be relieved from whatever we are going through. “Wag kang magkimkim, nakakamatay yan!” I thought that was only a joke. Now I know the rationale behind.
When we are emotionally stressed, it is really best to have someone with us whom we can talk to instead of just hiding it. We have our families, friends, teachers, professors, guidance counselors and priests around. If you think you are not ready to talk to someone, maybe you can write it on a diary or a private blog. In that way, you can express what’s inside and avoid feeling those chest pains that we sometimes assume as a heart attack.
Always remember, speaking out doesn’t hurt. 
Xyla. 22 years old. Female. Registered Nurse since
2006. FEU Graduate. 
This weblog is owned by me, Xyla De Vera. Contents here are copyrighted to me unless, otherwise stated. Images,brushes and contents taken from other sites are credited here.
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April 4th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Yes. It’s always better talaga naman eh if we open up and not keep what we’re feeling all to ourselves, may it be positive or negative. Because it’s not good rin naman diba if kikimkimin natin ang sobrang happiness? Haha. We might burst or something, which may result negatively or something. Oooh. Pessi me again. Anywaaay. Grabe, dami kong na-l-learn talaga everytime I read your blogs.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Nagkaroon ako ng ganyan sintomas pero anxiety disorder yung akin.
Just keep in mind nga lang sa mga maglalabas ng sama ng loob ay do it assertively.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I always hide my feelings to my family and i only cry it out in the middle of the night, i remember that i can’t breath and it’s like my heart is being compressed. Akala ko wala lang talaga, yun pala may ganyan. amp. aahha.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:11 am
Hi tita Xy! Haha! I still want to call you tita from teentalk days, if you don’t mind.
Grabe i missed reading your blog! I always check your website but I haven’t really got the time to comment on your posts.
I admire you for always posting entries about personal health. They are really a big help to us who are so ignorant of health science and stuff. ;p
You’re right. It’s way better to voice out your feelings than to keep it all inside of you. It’s when people tell you, pag tinago mo yan sasabog ka! haha! A mere joke as it seems but it can really kill, I tell you. Or it can trigger you to do something else that can kill.
Anyway, keep inspiring people. Stay healthy and happy. I missed you!
April 6th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Meron palang scientific explanation yung “Wag kang magkimkim, nakakamatay yan!”
Usually kapag emotionally stressed ako kinikimkim ko talaga. I choose not to talk about it kasi. Pero I let it out by crying. As in before I go to sleep in the evening, I’ll just cry. Minsan sinasabayan ko ng pakikipagusap kay Jesus. Never ako nagshare ng emotional experience or stress sa friends or families ko. I think not even to my boyfriend e. If may times na maiiyak na ako and I’m in the presence of my loved ones pipigilan ko talaga ang pag-iyak ko. One time, sa sobrang emotional stress, sumikip talaga dibdib ko while crying. As in parang d na ako makahinga habang umiiyak ako… Pero walang nakakaalam nun kasi nga I do it privately. Pero after nun parang nabuhos ko na lahat ng lungkot at problema dun sa pagiyak ko kaya medyo gumaan na din loob ko
April 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Ate Xy, sino cardio mo sa PHC? Madalas ka ba magpa-2D echo? Anyways, totoo yang broken heart syndrome. Naexperience ko na yan dati pa. But ever since naging open ako sa mom ko, hindi na ako gaanong nakakaranas ng Broken Heart Syndrome na iyan.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:51 am
sooo true… kaya bawal magkimkim ng galit, sama ng loob at kung ano pa man… wehehe!
ate dyosa thanks sa mga informative articles mo…
April 20th, 2008 at 6:03 am
A very interesting page. Do a search on Xyla sometime, some very unusual things out there. The name has been around very long time, but a rare name for a baby girl.