A doctor has named the causes of "broken heart" syndrome

Takotsubo syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or "broken heart" syndrome, is an acutely developing transient dysfunction of the left ventricle of the heart with an attack of chest pains, which occurs as a reaction to an unexpected strong emotional shock. About why it is called so and how to recognize it, "Izvestia" on February 14 told "Invitro" cardiologist Polina Kontzedailo.

"In Japanese culture, the word "takotsubo" refers to a trap for octopuses - a ceramic pot with a wide rounded base and a narrow neck. This is the configuration of the heart during the development of this syndrome - it is clearly visible during ultrasound (echocardiography), ventriculography (radiologic study of the left ventricle of the heart with the introduction of contrast agent), CT, MRI of the heart," - explained the expert.

According to her, when takotsubo syndrome develops, the heart muscle loses its ability to contract evenly: there is a decrease in contractility of the heart apex, which acquires a spherical shape and forms a widened bottom of the "pot", while the contractility of the basal parts increases - a narrowing "neck" is formed.

Takotsubo syndrome develops against the background of severe stress, intense emotions, but not always negative. Much less often its development is caused by strong positive experiences - such a condition is called happy heart syndrome. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can also arise due to various diseases, acute conditions, medical interventions, the use of drugs.

"The symptoms of takotsubo syndrome are sometimes indistinguishable from those of myocardial infarction: pressing or burning pain in the chest, a feeling of shortness of breath, excessive sweating, heart rhythm disturbances, loss of consciousness. In addition to the similarity of the clinical picture, ECG changes in takotsubo syndrome may also not differ from the ECG in myocardial infarction," - said the specialist.

Cardiomyopathy takotsubo more often affects women over 50 years - it is believed that women at this age are more vulnerable to the development of this condition due to a decrease in the level of estrogen in the blood against the background of menopause. However, there are also rare cases of the disease in young men and girls.

"The prognosis for "broken heart" syndrome, as a rule, is positive. In most patients, all changes in heart function are restored, and its contractility returns to normal within 1-4 weeks. During this period, the patient should stay in the hospital under close medical supervision. However, despite the fact that takotsubo syndrome is considered a benign condition, the incidence of acute heart failure and even death in people with this diagnosis is quite high," - summarized Kontzedailo.

Earlier, on February 9, Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, an expert physician at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about the dangers of hypertension. According to her, arterial hypertension is a rather dangerous condition: it can lead to heart attack or stroke, provoke pulmonary edema, heart failure.