We miss a deceased loved one or stress too much.
No one perished from heartbreak or stress, right? Oddly enough, some people have been about to do it due to a disease called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is also known as takotsubo syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is still pretty rare, but it affects about 10% of women who go to the hospital with heart attack symptoms. Dr. Paolo Angelini is a renowned authority on this syndrome. In fact, he and his team are starting to organize a study in which several cardiovascular centers in the United States, Germany, and Italy will participate. This initiative has my full support.
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome
Some people who go through periods of sudden or prolonged stress may have a disease that feels very similar to a heart attack. In reality, perhaps they have “broken heart syndrome,” which in medical terms is known as “takotsubo cardiomyopathy.”
Among the symptoms of this syndrome are the following:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Cold sweat
- irregular heart rate
Since the symptoms are so similar to those of a heart attack, it may be difficult for doctors to correctly diagnose a patient if they do not have the right tests.
Women are more at risk.
Women are at a higher risk than men of suffering from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In fact, the chances of a woman suffering from broken heart syndrome are between seven and nine times greater than a man’s. The syndrome mostly affects postmenopausal women over 50 years of age.
Examples of situations that cause the syndrome:
- Periods of prolonged stress
- Death of a loved one
- Recent changes in life, for example, running out of work
- End of a relationship
- Factors that cause physical stress, such as an asthma attack, surgery, or a car accident
- Surprises
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes,
A woman who had been through menopause and was remodelling her house had a severe asthma attack. He fainted after taking an extra asthma inhaler.
He had been tested for similar symptoms before, but they utilized typical artery occlusion tests.
Exams found no impediments.
She was hospitalized this time.
During In the hospital, he learned that his heart was so weak that he could have met the requirements for a transplant. This is a perfect example of how Takotsubo syndrome can behave.
It’s not a heart attack.
Although the symptoms are similar, takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not a heart attack. The difference is that medical tests confirm no obstructions in the coronary arteries. My group and I have found evidence that Takotsubo syndrome has to do with a sudden and transient narrowing of the coronary arteries. Due to narrowing, the coronary arteries suffer spasms that cause a part of the heart to increase in size and pump inefficiently temporarily. We can even reproduce the symptoms with a drug called acetylcholine, which induces the production of spasms in the heart.
Seek help
Even though takotsubo cardiomyopathy usually goes away on its own, it can cause permanent problems and kill 2% of people who get it. All people who suffer from this syndrome need treatment, and a preventive plan must be established.
If you have similar symptoms to those listed here, especially if they came on suddenly, you should call 911 right away.
I know that many women may not be willing to call 911. They may leave it for later because they are busy or afraid of being called silly or exaggerating. Do not ignore symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heart rate, or general weakness. Seek help.
