Broken heart syndrome

Research

Roundup: Serious Complications from ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ Persist, New Study Finds; and More News

‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ Poses Serious Health Risks, Higher Death Rate for Men, New Study Shows

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy—commonly referred to as “broken heart syndrome”—remains a serious and potentially fatal condition, states a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Despite increased awareness in recent years, rates of death and serious heart-related complications did not improve between 2016 and 2020, according to one of the largest analyses of its kind. The research also found that men are more likely to die from "broken heart syndrome.”

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a temporary heart condition typically triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. Often mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack, it causes a portion of the heart to enlarge and pump ineffectively. The condition is believed to result from a surge of stress hormones, and it is frequently associated with traumatic life events such as the loss of a loved one or divorce.

Because of the overlap in symptoms with myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack), Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is sometimes misdiagnosed. However, it differs in that it usually does not involve blocked coronary arteries and is potentially reversible with timely treatment.

Key Findings from the Study

The research team, led by M. Reza Movahed, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona’s Sarver Heart Center, examined health records from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database spanning 2016 to 2020. The findings highlight several concerning trends:

  • The overall in-hospital death rate for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was 6.5 percent, with no improvement over the five-year period.
  • Men experienced significantly higher mortality, with a death rate of 11.2% compared to 5.5% among women.
  • Common in-hospital complications included:
    • Congestive heart failure (35.9%)
    • Atrial fibrillation (20.7%)
    • Cardiogenic shock (6.6%)
    • Stroke (5.3%)
    • Cardiac arrest (3.4%)

Age also played a critical role in the incidence of the condition. Adults over the age of 61 had the highest overall rates, but individuals aged 46–60 experienced a 2.6 to 3.25 times higher incidence compared to those aged 31–45. Racial and socioeconomic disparities were evident as well, with White adults experiencing the highest rate (0.16%), followed by Native American adults (0.13%) and Black adults (0.07%).

“We were surprised to find that the death rate from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was relatively high without significant changes over the five-year study, and the rate of in-hospital complications also was elevated,” said Dr. Movahed, in a news release. “The continued high death rate is alarming, suggesting that more research be done for better treatment and finding new therapeutic approaches to this condition.”

Dr. Movahed emphasized the importance of correctly distinguishing Takotsubo cardiomyopathy from other cardiac conditions, especially using coronary angiograms. He urged clinicians to remain vigilant for complications such as embolic stroke, which may be preventable with early intervention.

He added that early identification and intervention—particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation or severely weakened heart muscle—could reduce the risk of complications like stroke. Moreover, the findings challenge the perception that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy primarily affects the elderly, suggesting a broader age range should be considered in diagnosis.

The study’s authors noted that its reliance on hospital coding data introduces potential for errors, including repeated counting of patients transferred between hospitals. Additionally, outpatient cases and various subtypes of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy were not included, potentially underestimating the true scope of the condition.

Dr. Movahed concluded that further research is needed to refine diagnostic criteria, improve treatment strategies, and explore the reasons behind the significant difference in outcomes between men and women.

Explore world-class cardiology services at Baptist Heath Heart & Vascular Care.

Fatigue After a ‘Mini-Stroke’ May Persist for Up to a Year, Researchers Find

Individuals who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly referred to as a mini-stroke, may face persistent fatigue for as long as one year after the event, finds a new study published, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Although a TIA is typically defined as a brief disruption in blood flow to the brain with symptoms resolving within 24 hours, this new research highlights that its aftereffects may be more enduring than previously understood.

Transient ischemic attacks are known for their sudden but short-lived symptoms—such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech—that often disappear within hours. However, emerging evidence suggests that the impacts of a TIA may not be as transient as once believed. Fatigue, in particular, appears to be a common and lasting concern for many patients.

“People with a transient ischemic attack can have symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech and these resolve within a day,” said study author Boris Modrau, M.D., PhD, of Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, in a news release. “However, some have reported continued challenges including reduced quality of life, thinking problems, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Our study found that for some people, fatigue was a common symptom that lasted up to one year after the transient ischemic attack.”

The study followed 354 individuals, with an average age of 70, who had experienced a TIA. Each participant completed a series of questionnaires assessing various types of fatigue—such as overall tiredness, physical and mental fatigue, reduced activity, and low motivation—at several intervals: within two weeks of the event and again at three, six, and twelve months.

Fatigue scores ranged from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more severe fatigue. At the beginning of the study, participants had an average fatigue score of 12.3. Although there was a gradual decline over time—to 11.9 at three months, 11.4 at six months, and 11.1 at twelve months—a significant proportion of participants continued to experience fatigue. Specifically, 61% of participants reported fatigue two weeks after their TIA, and 54% continued to report fatigue at all subsequent follow-ups.

These findings suggest that while some recovery from fatigue does occur, many individuals do not return to pre-TIA energy levels within a year.

Researchers also investigated potential contributing factors. Brain imaging revealed no significant differences in the presence of blood clots between those with lasting fatigue and those without, indicating that the extent of the initial blockage did not explain the fatigue levels.

The study does not prove that mini-strokes cause lasting fatigue; it only shows an association, researchers point out. However, a notable association emerged between fatigue and prior mental health conditions. Participants with a history of anxiety or depression were twice as likely to experience prolonged fatigue. This finding highlights the importance of considering psychological health when evaluating recovery after a TIA.

Dr. Modrau emphasized the potential value of early identification: “Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants, and we found if people experience fatigue within two weeks after leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year. For future studies, people diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack should be followed in the weeks and months that follow to be assessed for lingering fatigue. This could help us better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care.”

Study Links High-Quality Carbohydrates and Fiber to Healthy Aging in Women

Consuming high-quality carbohydrates and dietary fiber during midlife may contribute significantly to healthy aging, researchers have found in a new study published in JAMA Network Open.

Conducted by researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study indicates that the type and quality of carbohydrates consumed in midlife can have a significant impact on long-term health.

The research team, led by Andres Ardisson Korat, M.D., of the HNRCA, sought to examine how different carbohydrate types influence overall health decades later. The study drew on data from the Nurses’ Health Study, a large, long-term project involving over 47,000 female health professionals. Participants completed detailed food-frequency questionnaires every four years from 1984 to 2016.

Researchers analyzed dietary patterns in midlife and assessed health outcomes when the participants were aged 70 to 93. The goal was to determine whether certain carbohydrate choices were associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging, defined as being free of 11 major chronic diseases, having no significant cognitive or physical impairments, and reporting good mental health.

“We’ve all heard that different carbohydrates can affect health differently, whether for weight, energy, or blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Ardisson Korat, in a news release. “But rather than just look at the immediate effects of these macronutrients, we wanted to understand what they might mean for good health 30 years later. Our findings suggest that carbohydrate quality may be an important factor in healthy aging.”

Key Findings

The analysis found that higher intakes of total carbohydrates, especially those from unrefined sources such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, were associated with a 6 percent to 37 percent greater chance of healthy aging. Similarly, higher dietary fiber intake was linked to improved mental and physical health outcomes later in life.

In contrast, higher consumption of refined carbohydrates—those from added sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables like potatoes—was associated with a 13 percent lower likelihood of healthy aging.

“These results are consistent with other evidence linking consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with lower risks of chronic diseases, and now we see the association with physical and cognitive function outcomes,” said Qi Sun, M.D., senior author of the study and associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard Chan School, in a news release.

Implications for Long-Term Health

This study adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that dietary patterns established in midlife can have a profound impact on quality of life in older age. High-quality carbohydrates—those rich in nutrients and low in added sugars—may help preserve mental acuity, physical independence, and overall well-being.

The findings support current dietary guidelines that encourage consumption of whole, plant-based foods and limiting refined carbohydrates. However, the authors acknowledged limitations in the study population, which consisted predominantly of white, female health professionals. Future research will be needed to determine whether these results hold true across more diverse populations.

Healthcare that Cares

With internationally renowned centers of excellence, 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Baptist Health is an anchor institution of the South Florida communities we serve.

Language Preference / Preferencia de idioma

I want to see the site in English

Continue In English

Quiero ver el sitio en Español

Continuar en español