Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
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| Takotsubo cardiomyopathy | |
|---|---|
| File:TakoTsubo scheme.png | |
| Synonyms | Stress cardiomyopathy, Apical ballooning syndrome, Broken heart syndrome |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Cardiology |
| Symptoms | Chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Usually temporary |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Often preceded by emotional stress or physical stress |
| Risks | Postmenopausal women, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders |
| Diagnosis | Electrocardiogram, Echocardiography, Coronary angiography |
| Differential diagnosis | Acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, pheochromocytoma |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Supportive care, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Generally good with full recovery |
| Frequency | Rare, but increasing recognition |
| Deaths | N/A |
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
References[edit]
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