Takotsubo syndrome is also called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as well as Broken Heart Syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy. It is non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo Syndrome is a sudden, temporary weakness of the muscles of the heart.
Highlights
The illness is primarily caused by mental distress such as unemployment, divorce, sepsis and shock. Sepsis is a condition caused by the presence of harmful microorganisms in the blood of a person. It happens all over the world. It is the cause of 2% of acute coronary syndromes. It is common in postmenopausal women. The incidence of illness in middle-aged and older women is 10 times higher than in young women and men of the same age.
People suffering from broken heart syndrome may think they have sudden heart attack or chest pain. Broken heart syndrome affects only part of the heart and temporarily interferes with the heart’s normal pumping function. The rest of the heart may even contract more strongly or may continue to function normally. The symptoms are treatable and the condition of the suffering patient usually resolves within weeks or even few days.
The name Takotsubo is in Japanese. It means octopus trap. This is because the left ventricle takes the shape of an octopus trap when the heart is affected by this condition.
Causes of Takotsubo syndrome
A stressful event occurs before most Takotsubo cases. Pathophysiological Causes such as viral infections such as parvovirus B19 and coronary spasm of microvessels. There is limited evidence that Takotsubo syndrome is genetically transmitted. However, a wide range of hypotheses support this idea. Certain endocrine disorders (Hormone dysregulation), such as thyrotoxicosis, are also one of the causes of this disorder. There is a strong link between stress and thyroid function.
Symptoms
Symptoms of broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack. The common symptoms are Shortness of breath and chest pain.
Difference between Takotsubo syndrome and Heart Attack
A heart attack is generally caused by a complete or near-complete occlusion of a heart artery. This obstruction is due to a blood clot that forms at the site of the stenosis due to fat deposition in the arterial wall (atherosclerosis). In broken heart syndrome, blood flow in the arteries of the heart can be reduced, but the arteries of the heart are not blocked.
