Let's start with the symptoms
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy often feels like a heart attack.
The most common symptoms are:
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations (feeling your heart race or skip beats)
- Fainting or near-fainting
- Sweating and feeling unwell
Because these symptoms can be serious and look like a heart attack, always call emergency services if they occur.
What is Takotsubo cardiomyopathy?
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy—also called broken heart syndrome, apical ballooning syndrome, or stress-induced cardiomyopathy - is a temporary condition where the heart muscle suddenly becomes weak.
- It mainly affects the left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber).
- The heart changes shape for a short time, which reduces how well it pumps.
- Unlike a typical heart attack, there are no blocked coronary arteries.
The name “Takotsubo” comes from a Japanese octopus trap that has a shape similar to how the heart looks during this condition.
How common is it?
- About 1–2% of people who are thought to be having a heart attack actually have Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
- Over 90% of cases occur in women.
- It is most common in older adults, average age mid-60s.
What can trigger it?
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is often linked to intense emotional or physical stress, such as:
- Grief after the death of a loved one
- Major arguments or relationship stress
- Financial or work problems
- Domestic abuse
- Natural disasters
- Serious medical illness or surgery
- Severe social isolation or loneliness
Not everyone has a clear trigger. Some people with anxiety, depression, seizures, or headache disorders may be more prone. Rarely, it can run in families.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors use symptoms, heart tests, and imaging. A commonly used set of criteria comes from the Mayo Clinic and includes:
- Temporary weakening of the left ventricle
- No blocked coronary arteries
- New ECG changes or raised troponin (a heart blood test)
- Ruling out other conditions that can look similar
How is it treated?
Treatment is mostly supportive and like heart failure care:
- Heart medications while the heart recovers
- Careful fluid management
- Treating or reducing emotional and physical stress
- Hospital monitoring in the early phase
About 10% of patients develop severe heart weakness needing intensive care.
What is the outlook?
The good news:
- It is usually temporary
- Most people recover heart function within 1–4 weeks
- Most patients do very well long term
However:
- In-hospital death occurs in about 3–4% of cases
- There is about a 2% per year chance it can happen again
Doctors may prescribe heart medications after recovery, but it is not yet clear if they prevent recurrence.
When should I seek help?
Call emergency services right away if you have:
- New chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
These could be Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or a true heart attack and both need urgent care.
Please note:
While we make every effort to make sure the information contained in this blog and otherwise on this website is accurate and informative, it should not be used as a substitute for obtaining your own professional or medical advice.
Do not use the information in this blog:
- to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease;
- for therapeutic purposes; or
- as a substitute for the advice of a health professional.
Healthscope Ltd and its related entities do not provide any guarantees, and assume no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information contained in this blog or on our website, or for any injury, loss or damage caused by its use