A new study has found that while takotsubo cardiomyopathy—commonly known as “broken heart syndrome”—is significantly more common in women, men are more than twice as likely to die from the condition.
The research, which examined nearly 200,000 hospital cases from 2016 to 2020, revealed that approximately 83% of those diagnosed were women. Despite this, the in-hospital mortality rate for men was 11.2%, compared to 5.5% for women.
A High-Risk Condition Often Triggered by Stress
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a temporary heart condition typically triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress. Events like the death of a loved one or a car accident can cause a sudden flood of stress hormones—particularly catecholamines such as norepinephrine and epinephrine—that temporarily stun the heart’s left ventricle. This weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively and can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Heart palpitations
Diagnosis often requires ruling out coronary artery blockages via angiogram, followed by imaging tests like echocardiograms to detect abnormalities.
Complications and Mortality
Beyond the emotional origin of the condition, its complications are medically serious. According to the study, patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy experienced high rates of:
- Congestive heart failure (36%)
- Atrial fibrillation (21%)
- Cardiogenic shock (7%)
- Stroke (5%)
Overall, individuals with takotsubo cardiomyopathy had a significantly higher in-hospital death rate (6.58%) compared to patients admitted for other cardiovascular reasons (2.41%).
Why Are Men at Greater Risk?
Although the study did not identify a definitive cause for the higher male mortality rate, researchers suggest that gender-based diagnostic biases may play a role. Since TC is widely considered a “woman’s disease,” atypical presentations in men may lead to delayed or missed diagnoses.
The study’s observational nature limits its ability to establish causation, and additional comorbidities in critically ill patients may also contribute to worse outcomes in men.
A Mysterious Condition with No Predictive Pattern
Despite growing awareness, many aspects of takotsubo cardiomyopathy remain poorly understood. It’s estimated to account for 2–3% of all patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, and up to 5–6% among women, though it may still be underdiagnosed.
Most patients recover fully within two months, and recurrence is rare. However, the condition’s unpredictability—sometimes occurring without any clear emotional or physical trigger—continues to challenge both diagnosis and prevention.
Researchers emphasize the need for ongoing studies to better understand the mechanisms behind this condition, especially to identify which patients are at risk for the most severe complications.
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