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Takotsubo’s Broken Heart Syndrome

By Jannatul Ferdous '23

Mental health can often determine the physical wellness of an individual. Thus, if individuals suffer from short or long term mental health problems that encroach on their personal and occupational lives, their bodies might not respond well to certain cellular or physical attacks. Those individuals might even have difficulties coping with those mental health problems and as a result will have difficulties prioritizing care for themselves or adapting to changes. Mental health problems related to depression can often include individuals becoming very lethargic and apathetic towards completing their responsibilities. If these issues are not resolved or if useful methods are not used to weaken these behaviors, they may progress into behaviors that cause severe emotional distress and anxiety. Chronic mental health problems might be a factor that would induce the appearance of Takotsubo’s Broken Heart Syndrome.


Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, relating to the decrease in function of the heart muscle where blood is not delivered throughout the body properly, is notoriously known as the “broken heart syndrome”. The name originated from Japan during 1990 and the condition occurs as a result of severe emotional pain. Even though it was discovered that 2% of all individuals and up to 5% of women might have to encounter this condition in their lifetime, Takotsubo’s Broken Heart Syndrome showed to have a generally increased diagnosis rate over the years.

In the critically acclaimed television series Grey’s Anatomy, a woman who repeatedly arrives at the hospital every year at the exact same time soon discovers that Takotsubo’s Broken Heart Syndrome is the underlying condition causing this situation to arise consistently. Even though television shows will often portray extreme versions of certain medical conditions for the purpose of creating a very dramatic ambiance to their episode, most people who are diagnosed with Takotsubo’s Broken Heart Syndrome may recover from their symptoms within a month given the favorable conditions they are placed in.


Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not related to a heart attack. A heart attack, otherwise known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when part of the heart muscle does not receive a sufficient amount of blood in order for the heart to pump blood throughout the body properly. Thus, necrosis, or the death of tissue in the human body, may arise in that muscle of the heart. This condition might progress negatively if it is not treated during the early stages, due to certain complications, such as the buildup of plaque in the arteries of the heart. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy delves into the concept that the issue arises in the body due to a subconscious belief rather than a physiological flaw occurring within the body.


As medical professionals will diagnose Takotsubo myopathy by observing different medical tests, such as chest x-rays, blood work, echocardiograms (an ultrasound of the heart), cardiac catheterizations/coronary angiograms (a procedure done to insert a thin and flexible tube called a catheter inside the heart), EKGs (a test done to observe the electrical signals of the heart) and cardiac MRI’s, they will treat the condition differently based on the ample range of symptoms that accompany the patient. One of the more common treatment methods includes using beta-blocker medicines to stimulate the heart to restore to its normal functions. Even though beta-blocker drugs are typical to treating high blood pressure, the fact that the beta-blocker drugs will reduce blood pressure by decreasing the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) to be released into the body and by slowing down the contractions made by the heart can be used as an aid to treat Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.


To prevent instances of severe medical conditions, such as chronic mental health conditions or the appearance of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy to occur, it is crucial to acknowledge the possible existence of certain mental health conditions. A suitable solution to these mental health issues progressing at a rapid rate and an advantageous solution to these issues from permanently prevailing, it might be beneficial seek help from close friends or family, but if those solutions are not as convenient, it may be favorable to call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hotline at, 1-800-950-6264, such that individuals can be referred to their respective treatments.


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