what does broken heart syndrome do to your heart

Information technology's named after an octopus trap — and that'due south not all that's unusual nigh cleaved-centre syndrome. Information technology occurs almost exclusively in women.

Years of gender-based inquiry take shown that in matters of the eye, sex differences abound. Ane hitting example is the temporary heart status known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, too known equally broken-centre syndrome, starting time described in 1990 in Japan. More than 90% of reported cases are in women ages 58 to 75. Research suggests that up to 5% of women suspected of having a centre assail really have this disorder. Most people recover with no long-term heart harm.

Features of takotsubo cardiomyopathy

• Chest pain and shortness of breath afterward severe stress (emotional or physical)
• Electrocardiogram abnormalities that mimic those of a eye attack
• No evidence of coronary artery obstacle
• Movement abnormalities in the left ventricle
• Ballooning of the left ventricle
• Recovery within a month

What is information technology?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the left ventricle, the centre's principal pumping chamber, usually every bit the upshot of severe emotional or physical stress, such every bit a sudden disease, the loss of a loved one, a serious accident, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake. (For additional examples, see "Stressors associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.") That'due south why the condition is as well chosen stress-induced cardiomyopathy, or broken-heart syndrome. The main symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath.

Stressors associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy*

• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Serious illness, surgery, or medical process (e.one thousand., cardiac stress examination)
• Severe pain
• Domestic violence
• Asthma attack
• Receiving bad news (such as a diagnosis of cancer)
• Auto or other accident
• Unexpected loss, illness, or injury of a close relative, friend, or pet
• Fierce statement
• Fiscal loss
• Intense fear
• Public speaking
• A surprise party or other sudden surprise

*Not an exhaustive list.

Sources: Prasad A, et al. American Heart Journal (2008), Vol. 155, No. iii, pp. 408–17; others.

The precise cause isn't known, but experts think that surging stress hormones (for example, adrenaline) essentially "stun" the heart, triggering changes in heart musculus cells or coronary blood vessels (or both) that prevent the left ventricle from contracting effectively. Broken-middle syndrome occurs more oft in women than men, especially after menopause..

Takotsubo symptoms are indistinguishable from those of a heart attack. And an electrocardiogram (ECG) may bear witness abnormalities similar to those found in some heart attacks — in particular, changes known equally ST-segment superlative. Consequently, imaging studies and other measures are needed to dominion out a heart attack. To get a definitive diagnosis, clinicians look for the following:

• No testify on an angiogram of blockages in the coronary arteries — the nearly common crusade of eye attacks.
• A rapid only small rise in cardiac biomarkers (substances released into the blood when the center is damaged). In a middle attack, cardiac biomarkers take longer to ascension but tiptop higher.
• An echocardiogram (ultrasound image) or other imaging technique that shows abnormal movements in the walls of the left ventricle. The most common abnormality in takotsubo cardiomyopathy — the 1 that gives the disorder its name — is ballooning of the lower part of the left ventricle (apex). During wrinkle (systole), this bulging ventricle resembles a tako-tsubo, a pot used past Japanese fishermen to trap octopuses. Some other term for the disorder is apical ballooning syndrome. (See "Apical ballooning and the tako-tsubo.")

Apical ballooning and the tako-tsubo

An x-ray of the left ventricle (A) shows apical ballooning, a reversible aberration feature of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. During systole (cardiac contraction) the midsection and tip (apex) of the left ventricle airship out, while the area in a higher place, chosen the base, contracts normally. The shape is similar to that of a tako-tsubo (), a round-bottomed, narrow-necked vessel used to catch octopuses.

Photos reprinted with permission from Bilal Saeed, Thou.D., University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio (A), and Satoshi Kurisu, M.D., Hiroshima City Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan (B).

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Treatment

There is no standard handling for broken-center syndrome. It depends on the severity of symptoms, and whether the person has low blood pressure or evidence of fluid backing upwards into the lungs. Clinicians ofttimes recommend standard heart failure medications such equally beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics (water pills). They may give aspirin to patients who also have atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arterial walls).

Although at that place's little evidence on long-term therapy, beta blockers (or combined blastoff and beta blockers) may be connected indefinitely to help foreclose recurrence by reducing the effects of adrenaline and other stress hormones. Information technology'southward likewise important to alleviate whatsoever concrete or emotional stress that may have played a office in triggering the disorder.

Well-nigh of the abnormalities in systolic function and ventricle wall movement clear up in ane to four weeks, and most patients recover fully within two months. Decease is rare, but center failure occurs in about 20% of patients. Rarely reported complications include arrhythmias (abnormal middle rhythms), obstacle of blood flow from the left ventricle, and rupture of the ventricle wall.

To larn the mechanics of the centre, the symptoms and alert signs of heart failure, and, near of all, the keys to an effective handling programme, buy the Harvard Special Health Study Heart Failure: Understanding the condition and optimizing treatment.

Paradigm: Arsgera/Getty Images

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Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/takotsubo-cardiomyopathy-broken-heart-syndrome

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