None — Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is the name for an unusual type of heart problem. It is also called stress cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome or broken heart syndrome. The term, "takotsubo," comes from the name of a Japanese octopus trap, which resembles the shape of a heart with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Symptoms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy are similar to that of a heart attack. Patients may have chest pain, breathlessness and, sometimes, abnormal heart rhythms. However, when coronary angiography (x-rays of dye injected in the heart's blood vessels) is performed, no blockages are found.
Researchers estimate about one to two percent of patients suspected of having a heart attack actually have takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It is most common in postmenopausal women. Although the exact cause isn't known, it usually occurs soon after some type of serious emotional or physical stress (such as the death of a spouse or child, significant quarrel, or medical illness). In roughly 33 percent of patients, no precipitating factors are known.
Jeffrey Veluz, M.D., Heart Surgeon at St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, PA, says the exact cause of takotsubo cardiomyopathy isn't known. However, many patients have elevated levels of adrenaline (a stress hormone). It's believed that high levels of this hormone may somehow disrupt blood flow to a part of the heart, reducing the ability of that section to pump. This may cause the heart muscle to balloon and take on the shape of a pear.
Fixing a "Broken Heart"
Research shows, the majority of patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy develop signs of heart failure. However, in some cases, takotsubo cardiomyopathy can have serious consequences, like a rupture of the heart muscle wall.
Fortunately, takotsubo cardiomyopathy is usually a temporary condition. Veluz patients are given medical support to control blood pressure, pain or other symptoms. About one-third of patients recover within a few days (often by the time they leave the hospital). For most of the remaining patients, heart function recovers with a few weeks to three months. Researchers estimate about ten percent of those with takotsubo cardiomyopathy are at risk for a recurrence of the symptoms.
AUDIENCE INQUIRY
If you are uncertain about the cause of your chest pain, seek help from a health care provider. For general information on heart health:
American Heart Association, www.heart.org National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, www.nhlbi.nih.gov