The Bold and the Beautiful: What is Broken Heart Syndrome? Taylor Hayes' diagnosis, explained

Taylor Hayes, played by Rebecca Budig on The Bold and The Beautiful, is a brilliant psychiatrist who has always helped others navigate emotional turmoil. But she herself experienced an epiphany when she was diagnosed with a health scare called Broken Heart Syndrome that seemed to awaken fear within her heart.

In this poignant storyline, Taylor was first diagnosed with heart failure which made her feel that the end was near for her. This brought her closer to her family, preparing for what she thought were the last moments. However, a second opinion, driven by Ridge Forrester, changed all that.

It proved to be the case that Taylor's actual diagnosis was called broken heart syndrome, or a treatable real condition that mistakenly seemed like something much worse. Broken heart syndrome is a stress-induced heart condition that mimics symptoms of a heart attack.

With the news that she was not dying after all, Taylor's world and emotional landscape shifted, opening up new possibilities to her future-possibility of reuniting with Ridge, still the love of her life.

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What is Broken Heart Syndrome on The Bold and the Beautiful?

When Grace Buckingham diagnosed Taylor with broken heart syndrome on The Bold and The Beautiful, the syndrome, which is more technically known as stress cardiomyopathy, was real. It occurs when severe stress influences the heart, temporarily causing low blood flow to the arteries.

This leads to chest pain and shortness of breath; it's serious but not fatal, and most patients are cured with proper treatment, which generally includes stress management techniques and medications such as beta blockers that help the heart work correctly.

On The Bold and the Beautiful, Taylor's condition had been precipitated by severe emotional stress. It was brought on by her continued feelings for Ridge and the heartbreak of having to watch him reunite with Brooke.

This diagnosis added depth to the character and brought with it some new meaning into the journey as far as mental health and physical health are related.

The story made Taylor look vulnerable, but it opened the doors to possible changes in the future for her, in that respect, in seeking both emotional and physical healing.

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What is the treatment plan for Broken Heart Syndrome on The Bold and The Beautiful?

In a turn of events that no one saw coming on The Bold and The Beautiful, Ridge introduced a spiritual healer by the name Shandra, played by Minita Gandhi to heal Taylor's broken heart syndrome. The episode of October 14 was off the beaten track because Shandra used this as an avenue to take Ridge and Taylor Hayes through a chakra-clearing exercise in a bid to heal Taylor's emotional hurts.

At the hands-on session, they were held physically close, with Taylor sitting on Ridge's lap as the two of them stared into each other's eyes. When they were doing that emotional scene, Taylor got the chance to release the heart chakra.

Once she did, she cried hysterically, saying she finally healed her broken heart.

While this spiritual approach Taylor hopes will bring her a step forward from emotional trauma and reduce her meds, the question stands: is this healing method enough?

For sure, Taylor hasn't opened up to Ridge about the real reason behind her broken heart syndrome, and although Ridge was there for moral support, he only stayed on the side because he didn't want to pressure her further.

The factors of her, Ridge Forrester, and Brooke continue to create a never-ending complication for her recovery process as Taylor continues to search for emotional closure.

The niceness that Ridge might be showing her could be misconstrued, and Taylor is at risk of taking even more heartache if she cannot truly let go of her emotions with respect to him.

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Interested viewers can watch the episodes of The Bold and The Beautiful on CBS every weekday.