Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy): Stress and Your Heart
Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
05 September, 2025
The term ‘Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy’ was first coined in Japan in the early 1990s, when doctors found that individuals who were very stressed had a higher risk of suffering from this condition, where the left ventricle of the heart gets weak and does not pump as well as before. The stress could be attributed to jobs, poor security, serious accidents, death of family or close friends or because of a natural disaster- all well known triggers of emotional and physical stress. Curiously, this condition seems to affect more women than men- though we don’t exactly know why that happens.
Broken Heart Syndrome Treatment In Hyderabad Hospitals-
The funny or strange thing about this condition is that the left ventricle of the heart does not work as well as before, even when the coronary arteries are perfectly healthy and clear. There is no blockage, but any physical or emotionally perceived stress can cause the same exact symptoms as a normal heart attack. So, you may notice symptoms like chest pain, jaw and shoulder or neck pain, shortness of breath or even cold sweats and extreme fatigue- all signs that we associate with a cardiac event. So, proper diagnosis and treatment can be tricky. But, with the right kind of specialist looking at you, you can expect to get a swift and correct diagnosis, so that prompt treatment can begin. The good news is that there is NO long term damage to the heart with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.
The best hospital in Hyderabad for stress and heart health management is undoubtedly KIMS Sunshine- located conveniently all over the city. Here, we have experienced radiologists and cardiologists who can help you understand why you had such a cardiac event and with the right kind of treatment, you can look forward to a fairly good prognosis for the future. There are 4 different kinds of Broken Heart syndrome and this condition is quite common in the world. Around 1-2% of the population in India suffers from this condition- and this number is obtained from studies which see how many of them get angiography done to treat any suspected MI.
Role Of Yoga And Meditation In Preventing Broken Heart Syndrome-
Both yoga and meditation can help your body relax- reducing cortisol or stress hormone levels quickly. When you are less stressed, you tend to sleep and eat better too- which means you will feel well rested and ready to take on whatever the day throws at you the next day.
Best Cardiothoracic Surgeon In Hyderabad For Advanced Cardiac Care-
Accurate diagnosis of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is key to getting the right treatment- which is mostly in the form of medications, as there is no long lasting damage that occurs due to the condition. Doctors first work on diagnosis by using techniques like blood tests to check for troponin levels (its presence shows that heart muscle cells have been damaged), with electrocardiograms, angiography, x-rays and heart MRI. At times, a ventriculogram may be recommended, to check the pumping capacity and efficiency of the heart chambers.
Treatment involves the use of aspirin, to break down or prevent formation of blood clots and others which regulate heart rate or inflammation- ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. Fluids are managed by diuretic use. If there is much more damage than usual, then a surgeon may place an LVAD or intra-aortic balloon pump to help your heart function better.
Conclusion
We now know that stress is a major influence on how your body functions and that means the heart can also get affected. Post menopausal women are at the highest risk of suffering from this condition as they deal with hormonal upheavals and associated stress due to other causes. So, scientists think that the rush of cortisol after a particularly stressful event is what causes the heart to stop working normally. This means that managing stress in the right way is the only long term method of management. The use of yoga, guided meditation and deep breathing exercises have been studied extensively and results are very encouraging- even a 20 minute session of moderate or mild stretching, yoga and 15-20 minutes of deep breathing can reduce stress significantly. KIMS Sunshine is a well known multi speciality hospital in Hyderabad offering effective heart stress management, so call us for an appointment or walk in for a consultation, today!
