Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy - Medtick

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

What is it?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a weakening of the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber.

  • It normally occurs after significant emotional stressor (loss of a loved one, divorce, financial bad news) and  physical stressors (motor vehicle accident, major surgery, long stay in intensive care unit).
  • It mainly occurs in women and show similar symptoms to a heart attack.
  • Most patients will recover in four to eight weeks.

Diagnosis Tests

To get a definitive diagnosis, Clinicians/Medical Doctors /specialist look for the following:

  • No evidence on an angiogram of blockages in the coronary arteries — the most common cause of heart attacks.
  • An echocardiogram (ultrasound image) or other imaging technique that shows abnormal movements in the walls of the left ventricle.
    • The most common abnormality in takotsubo cardiomyopathy — the one that gives the disorder its name — is ballooning of the lower part of the left ventricle (apex).
    • During contraction (systole), this bulging ventricle resembles a tako-tsubo, a pot used by Japanese fishermen to trap octopuses. Another term for the disorder is apical ballooning syndrome. (See “Apical ballooning and the tako-tsubo.”)

https://www.health.harvard.edu

Cause

  • Unknown
    • Increase in hormones (i.e.  adrenaline, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) that trigger changes in heart muscle cells or coronary blood vessels (or both) that prevent the left ventricle from contracting effectively.

Stressors associated with takotsubo cardiomyopathy*

  • Sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Serious illness, surgery, or medical procedure (e.g., cardiac stress test)
  • Severe pain
  • Domestic violence
  • Asthma attack
  • Receiving bad news (such as a diagnosis of cancer)
  • Car or other accident
  • Unexpected loss, illness, or injury of a close relative, friend, or pet
  • Fierce argument
  • Financial loss
  • Intense fear
  • Public speaking
  • A surprise party or other sudden surprise

*Not an exhaustive list.

Sources: Prasad A, et al. American Heart Journal (2008), Vol. 155, No. 3, pp. 408–17; others.

  • Seizures
  • Near-drowning experiences

Illicit drugs

Medscape

https://www.health.harvard.edu

Symptoms

  • Short of breath/breathing difficulties?
  • Pale, sweaty, clammy and grey complexion?
  • Coughing, nausea and vomiting, restlessness, dizziness, not well feeling?
  • Frightened sense about to die?
  • Crushing and/or squeezing and/or aching and/or burning and/or even sharp and/or mild central chest pain- chest pain is usually intense and unremitting for 30-60 minutes, (please note some do not experience pain and some say it feels like heartburn, indigestion or of fullness and gas- some feel this is the only symptom)?
  • Constant hiccups?
  • Pain travels to neck, jaw, ears, arms and wrist or between shoulder blades, back or to abdomen?
  • Pain not going away by changing position or resting?
  • Pain may be constant or coming and going?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


  • In females this condition occurs after menopause

Complications include:

  • Left heart failure with and without pulmonary oedema (water in the lungs)
  • Cardiogenic shock (heart dysfunction might prevent organs from receiving adequate oxygen supply)
  • Left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction
  • Mitral regurgitation
  • Left Ventricle mural thrombus formation (red blood cells and platelets and other cells clumped together)
  • Left Ventricle free-wall rupture
  • Shock:
    • Rapid heart rate (rapid pulse)
    • Rapid breathing
    • Dilated pupils
    • Pale, cool skin
    • Sweating (diaphoresis)
    • Yawning
    • If shock occurs (whilst awaiting for an ambulance):
    • Lay the person down (if their injuries allow it) and raise and support their legs
    • Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm, but do not cover their face or the burnt area
    • Do not give them anything to eat or drink
    • How to Treat Shock

This condition can have similar symptoms to and/or confused with:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Medscape

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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