Broken Heart Syndrome (Broken Heart Syndrome – Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy) is the heart that “breaks” from intense sadness, anxiety, panic. Fortunately, it is a temporary and reversible heart disease.
The characteristics of the syndrome are:
- Chest pain and shortness of breath that resemble a heart attack. Tests may show an increase in heart disease markers, which are usually associated with myocardial infarction, but angiograms will show that there is no blockage of the coronary arteries.
- The sudden and severe dysfunction of the heart, when the patient feels that his heart is beating “crazy”.
Fortunately, unlike a heart attack, Broken Heart Syndrome usually resolves within a few weeks, and the heart recovers completely without permanent damage.
The exact causes of the syndrome are not fully understood, but it is believed that intense stress causes an extreme reaction of the body, which affects the function of the heart.
However, the symptoms require the investigation of cardiac function, immediately, with a visit to the Cardiologist.
If there are no other findings during the examination and the Cardiologist confirms that this is the specific syndrome, he will give medication to manage the symptoms and support the heart, while patients recover fully over time.
The syndrome occurs more often in women after the age of 50, but can affect both sexes, regardless of age.
