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Heart Health
Is broken heart syndrome becoming more common?
- By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
Rising rates of these unusual heart attacks — also known as takotsubo syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy — may reflect increased awareness of the condition.
The classic symptoms of a heart attack, such as squeezing chest discomfort and trouble breathing, usually occur when a blocked coronary artery chokes off part of the heart’s blood supply. But those same symptoms can arise when the coronary arteries are clear. In some of these cases, broken heart syndrome may be to blame.
Also known as takotsubo syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy, this uncommon condition usually results from severe emotional or physical stress, such as from the death of a loved one, a serious illness or surgery, or a natural disaster. Other possible triggers include a fierce argument, financial loss, intense fear, or (in rare cases) even happy emotional events such as a wedding or surprise party.
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