Latest news with #BrokenHeartSyndrome
Jordan News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Men More Likely to Die from Broken Heart Syndrome - Jordan News
A new study has found that "Broken Heart Syndrome", though more commonly diagnosed in women, may pose a greater risk of death and serious complications in men. اضافة اعلان Also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Broken Heart Syndrome is often triggered by emotional or physical stress and can lead to dangerous conditions such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and cardiogenic shock. According to Healthline, the study suggests that men may have a higher mortality rate from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy compared to women. 'We were surprised by the relatively high mortality rate from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during our five-year study, as well as the increase in in-hospital complications,' said Dr. Mohammad Reza Mowahhed, the study's lead author from the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona. Women More Frequently Diagnosed — But Men Fare Worse Although around 80% of cases in the study were women, the outcomes in male patients were significantly worse. The reasons for this sex-based difference in outcomes remain unclear, as Takotsubo is still a relatively rare and not fully understood diagnosis. What Causes a Broken Heart? Takotsubo cardiomyopathy earned the nickname "Broken Heart Syndrome" because it often follows sudden emotional trauma, such as the loss of a loved one, but can also arise from intense fear, accidents, or major surgeries. For this reason, it's also referred to as "stress-induced cardiomyopathy." The prevailing theory is that a surge of stress hormones (catecholamines) — such as norepinephrine and adrenaline — during emotional or physical shock 'stuns' the left ventricle, temporarily impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. While more research is needed, the findings stress the importance of recognizing the severity of this condition in both men and women, and ensuring timely diagnosis and management — especially in male patients, who may be at higher risk of fatal complications.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Can heartache kill? Studies show men are more at risk than you think
Broken Heart Syndrome has a significant impact on men following the loss of a loved one. Image: Pexels And no, it's not just one of those things your ouma used to say over tea We've all heard the saying: 'He died of a broken heart.' Usually, it's whispered in a sad story about an elderly couple who've been together for a long time, one passes, and the other follows soon after. It sounds poetic, something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks movie. But here's the thing: it's not just a romantic telenovela or one of your parents' bygeloofies (superstitions). It's real. And the science says it hits men even harder. Losing someone you love is a pain no one prepares you for. Whether it's death, divorce, or the kind of breakup that shatters your whole sense of self, that emotional pain feels physical because sometimes, it is. There's an actual condition called Broken Heart Syndrome, and it's not just about feeling dramatic while crying to Adele. It's medically known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and involves sudden, temporary weakening of the heart muscle, usually triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), the condition is triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, most commonly after events like the death of a loved one. While it mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, it isn't caused by blocked arteries - it's caused by a sudden surge of stress hormones that stun the heart. While local case data is limited, the global understanding of the condition helps us piece things together. A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reviewed more than 200,000 hospital records in the U.S. and found that while women are more frequently diagnosed, men are more likely to die from it. The mortality rate was 11.2% in men, nearly double that of 5.6% in women. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy involves sudden, temporary weakening of the heart muscle, usually triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. Image: Freepik The research points to different triggers. Women typically experience Takotsubo cardiomyopathy due to emotional stressors, grief, heartbreak, and trauma. Men, on the other hand, are more often affected by physical stress, like surgery, injury, or chronic illness. These triggers tend to produce more severe complications, especially when layered with unaddressed emotional distress. Now, here's where it gets even more real, because while women might take time to mourn and process, many widowed men move on incredibly fast, often remarrying within a year. It's so common it's almost a cliché. At the funeral, you'll already spot the 'new lady friend' taking mental notes. Is it loneliness? Survival instinct? Or just a fear of not having someone to hand them the remote? Whatever it is, it's telling. Psychologically, men may experience a greater sense of loss and loneliness after the death of a spouse, prompting a desire to remarry sooner. Studies suggest that men often rely heavily on their spouses for emotional support, and the absence of this support can lead to increased feelings of isolation. Remarriage, in this context, serves as a coping mechanism to mitigate loneliness and restore a sense of normalcy . But despite the rushed rebounds, many men clearly struggle internally. And when that emotional load isn't addressed, when grief and stress simmer under the surface, it can quite literally stop the heart. South African cardiologists have also noted how underdiagnosed emotional triggers are in men because they often 'tough it out' rather than seek help. So while 'broken-hearted' might sound like a Taylor Swift lyric, this condition is no joke. If anything, this study should be a reminder to take emotional health seriously, especially for men who are often raised to bottle things up. Because a broken heart might not just leave you sad. It might be fatal.
Health Line
16-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Males Two Times as Likely to Die From ‘Broken Heart Syndrome,' Study Finds
'Broken heart syndrome' carries a significant risk of death and serious complications, according to new research. Although the condition appears to be much more common in females, males may be significantly more likely to die from it. 'Broken heart syndrome' is commonly associated with other major complications, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and cardiogenic shock. Men may be more than twice as likely as women to die from takotsubo cardiomyopathy, colloquially known as 'broken heart syndrome,' a new study suggests. Although takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) seems to predominantly affect females, accounting for approximately 80% of cases in the study, males who develop the condition appear to have worse outcomes. The reasons for these sex-based differences in TC, which is a relatively uncommon diagnosis, remain unclear. Researchers also observed that over the five-year period of investigation, mortality rates associated with TC did not improve, despite advancements in care. '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 study author Mohammad Reza Movahed, MD, PhD, an interventional cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center in Tucson, Arizona, in a press 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,' Movahed continued. TC is a temporary heart condition that can be caused by a surge in stress hormones, often linked to intense emotional or physical experiences, such as the loss of a loved one or a car accident. This leads to the weakening and enlargement of part of the heart, which restricts its ability to pump blood effectively. Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on May 14 sheds new light on the prevalence of this cardiovascular condition, but many questions remain unanswered. 'It's definitely hypothesis generating,' said Abha Khandelwal, MD, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Stanford Medicine who was not affiliated with the study. However, she continued, 'We still have a lot to learn about which patients are really going to present with the malignant form of this condition.' A 'woman's disease' much more likely to kill men Researchers used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a public database of de-identified hospitalization data, to identify cases of TC between 2016 and 2020. The study identified nearly 200,000 cases during this period, with women comprising the vast majority (83%) of patients—a finding consistent with existing data about the condition. The average age of patients admitted with TC was 67. Demographic patterns emerged in the data, as 80% of cases were diagnosed in white patients, suggesting potential racial differences in prevalence or diagnosis rates. Although men made up a much smaller portion of those admitted for TC, they had more than double the likelihood of dying, 11.2% compared to 5.5% for women. The study could not determine the reasons for this mortality gap, as the retrospective observational design limits researchers to identifying associations rather than establishing causation. However, Khandelwal suggests that the stereotype of TC being a 'woman's disease' may play a role in the worse outcomes seen in men. 'When a disease presents the way we expect it to, people do fine, but it's really the outliers that tend to have worse outcomes. In the old days, coronary artery disease was considered a man's disease. So, when women came into the hospital with heart attacks, they had worse outcomes. So, this is like a reverse of that,' she said. Other cardiovascular comorbidities are common among patients presenting with TC, as observed in the study. The most frequently reported cardiovascular complications included: congestive heart failure (36% of cases) atrial fibrillation (21%) cardiogenic shock (7%) stroke (5%) The overall mortality rate among patients with TC was significantly higher (6.58%) than other patients (2.41%), making them nearly three times more likely to die. TC is generally transient, however. Most individuals recover within two months, with a low risk of it recurring. Still, the study's design and the presence of multiple serious comorbidities make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the persistently elevated mortality rate in TC, according to Khandelwal. 'It doesn't tell you about the clinical characteristics of the people with the patients were critically ill, and there may be other comorbidities that were influencing their mortality. So, it's very hard to know what drove it,' she said. In fact, the authors themselves even acknowledge that the prevalence of TC observed during the study could be attributable to greater awareness of the condition among doctors who might have otherwise recorded it as some other form of acute coronary syndrome. What causes a 'broken heart'? Much remains unknown about TC, including its precise cause, but it has earned the nickname 'broken heart syndrome' for good reason. The condition can be triggered by sudden loss, emotional trauma, or even an acute scare. Khandelwal has seen the condition multiple times in her career, including a case in which a grandmother developed TC after being startled by her young grandchild. Each year, TC accounts for approximately 2–3% of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, and that rate doubles to 5–6% among females. But the actual rates of TC are unclear, as it may be underdiagnosed. TC is generally indistinguishable from a heart attack at the time of presentation. Common symptoms include: To diagnose TC, physicians must first rule out coronary artery blockages — typically using an angiogram — and then use additional imaging, such as an echocardiogram, to detect abnormalities in the heart's left ventricle. While often triggered by emotional distress like grief following the loss of a loved one, takotsubo cardiomyopathy can also develop after physical traumas such as car accidents or major surgery — earning it the additional designation ' stress-induced cardiomyopathy.' Researchers have yet to fully understand its underlying mechanisms. Notably, TC sometimes occurs without any identifiable trigger, further complicating efforts to pinpoint its precise causes. The most prominent hypothesis today is that during an acute shock, the heart is flooded with catecholamines, a cluster of stress hormones including norepinephrine and epinephrine, that stun the left ventricle of the heart. The uncommon nature of the condition along with its unpredictability make it difficult to prevent. 'We still can't predict who is going to get it, and under what circumstances. Is there a stress threshold? We really don't know. And of those who get it, we also don't know which ones are going to get a more malignant form,' said Khandelwal.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
What is ‘Broken Heart Syndrome': Why men are dying more than women from it
A new large-scale study has uncovered a surprising and concerning trend: men are more than twice as likely to die from stress-induced heart failure—commonly known as " broken heart syndrome "—compared to women. And that's despite the fact that women make up the majority of cases. This condition, officially called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy , is typically triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, such as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, or major surgery. It mimics a heart attack, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations—but unlike a typical heart attack, it doesn't involve blocked arteries. Study finds men twice as likely to die from 'Broken Heart Syndrome' than women The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association , analyzed nearly 200,000 hospitalizations between 2016 and 2020. Here's what researchers found: Overall in-hospital death rate: 6.5% Women's death rate: 5.5% Men's death rate: 11.2% Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, a cardiologist at the University of Arizona, called the high death rate among men "alarming" and emphasized the urgent need for better treatments and more research. Major complications linked to the condition The condition can lead to serious health issues if not treated quickly: Heart failure – 35.9% Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) – 20.7% Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 착용했을 때, 더 뿌듯한 팔찌 유니세프 지금 기부하기 Undo Cardiogenic shock – 6.6% Stroke – 5.3% Cardiac arrest – 3.4% Who's most at risk? Age matters: People over 61 were at the highest risk, but even adults between 46–60 were up to 3.25 times more likely to be affected than those under 45. Race matters too: White adults had the highest rate (0.16%), followed by Native Americans (0.13%) and Black adults (0.07%). Why are men dying more often from 'Broken Heart Syndrome'? Even though 83% of the cases occurred in women, men had worse outcomes. Why? Experts point to a few key differences: Men are more likely to face physical stressors (like surgery or illness), while women often face emotional ones (like grief or job loss). Emotional triggers, it turns out, are linked to better recovery outcomes. Men may also lack social support, which is crucial for healing. Without that support, recovery can be slower and more dangerous. No progress in 5 years One of the most troubling findings? Mortality rates didn't improve at all over the five-year study period—a clear sign that current treatments aren't working well enough. The study also hinted that factors like hospital resources, income levels, and insurance status may affect outcomes, though more research is needed. Takeaway Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may sound poetic, but it's anything but harmless. Especially for men, it can be deadly. These findings are a wake-up call for doctors and patients alike: emotional and physical stress can break more than just hearts—it can end lives. Love Without Limits or Ethics? The Rise of 'Risky Relationships' Explained One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Jordan News
15-05-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Men at Higher Risk of Death from "Broken Heart Syndrome" - Jordan News
A new study has revealed that men are more likely to die from "Broken Heart Syndrome," even though the condition is more commonly diagnosed in women. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study analyzed nearly 200,000 hospital admissions in the United States between 2016 and 2020 and found significant differences in outcomes between men and women. The condition, known medically as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is often triggered by intense physical or emotional stress. Its symptoms resemble those of a heart attack — such as chest pain and shortness of breath — but without arterial blockages. Although most patients recover, a small percentage may experience serious complications such as heart failure or death. The study found that around 11% of men hospitalized with the syndrome died during the study period, compared to just 5% of women. These findings align with previous research suggesting that while men are less frequently diagnosed with the condition, they face a higher risk of severe outcomes when it does occur. Dr. Harmony Reynolds, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center who was not involved in the study, commented: 'Men develop Takotsubo syndrome less frequently than women, but when they do, their condition tends to be worse.' Different Triggers, Different Outcomes Experts believe that the nature of the stressor triggering the syndrome may explain the gender disparity. Emotional stress — such as grief or job loss — is more commonly linked to cases in women, while physical stressors like surgeries, strokes, or infections are more often the cause in men. 'People who develop the syndrome due to emotional stress tend to have better outcomes,' said Dr. Ilan Wittstein, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 'Men may be more likely to die because their cases typically involve more severe physical triggers.' Lead author Dr. Mohammad Mouhied, a cardiologist at the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona, added that lower levels of social support among men may also hinder recovery. 'If the psychological stress persists, it can continue to damage the heart or reduce the chances of recovery,' he said. Unanswered Questions About the Cause Despite decades of research, the precise biological mechanisms behind the syndrome remain unclear. It is believed that a sudden surge in stress hormones like adrenaline can temporarily weaken heart function, but stress alone doesn't account for all cases. Dr. Reynolds noted that some instances have followed relatively minor stressors, such as nausea or everyday irritations. Dr. Wittstein pointed out that biological predispositions — such as high blood pressure or cholesterol — may impair blood flow in the heart's microvessels, increasing susceptibility. Postmenopausal women remain the most affected demographic, prompting some researchers to suspect a link between declining estrogen levels and vulnerability to the syndrome, given the hormone's role in widening blood vessels. However, Reynolds cautioned that the link remains unproven: 'It's clear that sex hormones play a role, but a direct connection hasn't been definitively established.' Prevention and Treatment Remain Challenging Takotsubo syndrome poses challenges in both prevention and treatment. While medications like beta-blockers are sometimes prescribed, no drug has yet proven effective in reducing complications or mortality. 'We haven't found a treatment that lowers the death rate,' said Dr. Mouhied, noting that mortality rates remained steady over the four-year study, highlighting the limited therapeutic options available. Complicating matters further is the difficulty in diagnosing the syndrome accurately, especially in patients with other health conditions like strokes. Wittstein explained that some deaths attributed to the syndrome may, in fact, result from unrelated complications. Cardiologists emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, as only hospital tests can distinguish between Takotsubo syndrome and a conventional heart attack. 'You can't tell the difference without medical tests,' said Reynolds. 'It's not safe to stay home if you're having chest pain.' As researchers continue to explore the physiological roots of the syndrome, they stress the importance of managing both psychological and physical stress, recognizing that in rare cases, emotional pain can be life-threatening. اضافة اعلان
