Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (also known as broken heart syndrome) is a type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in which there is a sudden temporary weakening of the muscular portion of the heart. This weakening may be triggered by emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, a serious accident, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are similar to those of a heart attack and may include chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and fainting. However, unlike a heart attack, patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy do not usually have blocked coronary arteries.

Causes

The exact cause of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is unknown, but it is thought to be related to the body's response to severe stress. The heart's reaction to a surge of stress hormones causes part of the heart to enlarge temporarily and prevents the heart from pumping well, while the rest of the heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions.

Diagnosis

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be diagnosed through a physical exam, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, and blood tests. The condition is often misdiagnosed as a heart attack because the symptoms and test results are similar. In fact, tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances that are typical of a heart attack. But unlike a heart attack, there's no evidence of blocked heart arteries in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Treatment

Treatment for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically includes medications to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. The condition usually reverses itself in about a month, and most people recover with no lasting damage.

See also

• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart attack
• Stress (biology)

References

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