Latest news with #IlanWittstein
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
What is 'broken heart syndrome'? Study says though prevelant among women, more men die from it
A new large-scale study has revealed that men are over twice as likely to die from stress-induced heart failure, commonly referred to as "broken heart syndrome," compared to women—despite the condition being significantly more prevalent among women. The condition, formally known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy , is triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress, such as the death of a loved one or serious illness. Although it mimics a heart attack with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations, it typically does not involve blocked coronary arteries. As per a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, in a comprehensive analysis of 199,890 adult hospitalizations between 2016 and 2020, researchers found that men had a notably higher mortality rate than women. The overall in-hospital death rate was 6.5%. While 5.5% of women diagnosed with the condition died, the death rate for men stood at 11.2%. Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, an interventional cardiologist and professor at the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center, described the high fatality rate as "alarming." He stressed the need for enhanced treatment strategies and further investigation into the factors contributing to these disparities. Key Complications and Risk Factors The study documented several serious complications among patients with broken heart syndrome. Congestive heart failure occurred in 35.9% of cases, while 20.7% experienced atrial fibrillation. Cardiogenic shock affected 6.6%, stroke was noted in 5.3%, and 3.4% suffered cardiac arrest. These complications, if not addressed promptly, can severely impact patient outcomes. Age also played a critical role in vulnerability. Individuals over the age of 61 were most at risk, although middle-aged adults between 46 and 60 years old were also found to be up to 3.25 times more likely to be affected than those aged 31 to 45. Racial disparities were evident as well. White adults had the highest incidence rate at 0.16%, followed by Native Americans at 0.13%, and Black adults at 0.07%. The Gender Divide: Stress Triggers and Social Support Though women make up the majority of those diagnosed—accounting for around 83% of cases—researchers found that men fare worse when they do develop the condition. Experts suggest this may be due to differences in the nature of stress triggers. For men, physical stressors like surgery or illness are more common, whereas women more often experience emotional triggers such as grief or job loss. Dr. Ilan Wittstein, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, noted that emotional stressors, which are more common among women, tend to result in better outcomes. In contrast, the severe physical stressors that often precede the condition in men could lead to worse prognoses. Movahed also pointed out that men may have lower levels of social support during recovery, potentially contributing to delayed healing and increased risk. He emphasized that unresolved stress might prolong damage to the heart, hindering recovery. No Improvement Over Time One of the most concerning findings of the study was the lack of improvement in mortality rates over the five-year period. This suggests that current treatment methods are insufficient and highlights the urgency of better clinical care and monitoring. Socioeconomic factors such as hospital size, income levels, and insurance status also appeared to influence outcomes, although the study indicated more research is needed to understand their full impact. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and treating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a serious condition.
Economic Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
What is 'broken heart syndrome'? Study says though prevelant among women, more men die from it
Key Complications and Risk Factors The Gender Divide: Stress Triggers and Social Support No Improvement Over Time A new large-scale study has revealed that men are over twice as likely to die from stress-induced heart failure, commonly referred to as "broken heart syndrome," compared to women—despite the condition being significantly more prevalent among women. The condition, formally known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy , is triggered by extreme emotional or physical stress, such as the death of a loved one or serious it mimics a heart attack with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations, it typically does not involve blocked coronary per a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, in a comprehensive analysis of 199,890 adult hospitalizations between 2016 and 2020, researchers found that men had a notably higher mortality rate than women. The overall in-hospital death rate was 6.5%. While 5.5% of women diagnosed with the condition died, the death rate for men stood at 11.2%.Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, an interventional cardiologist and professor at the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center, described the high fatality rate as "alarming." He stressed the need for enhanced treatment strategies and further investigation into the factors contributing to these study documented several serious complications among patients with broken heart syndrome. Congestive heart failure occurred in 35.9% of cases, while 20.7% experienced atrial fibrillation. Cardiogenic shock affected 6.6%, stroke was noted in 5.3%, and 3.4% suffered cardiac arrest. These complications, if not addressed promptly, can severely impact patient also played a critical role in vulnerability. Individuals over the age of 61 were most at risk, although middle-aged adults between 46 and 60 years old were also found to be up to 3.25 times more likely to be affected than those aged 31 to disparities were evident as well. White adults had the highest incidence rate at 0.16%, followed by Native Americans at 0.13%, and Black adults at 0.07%.Though women make up the majority of those diagnosed—accounting for around 83% of cases—researchers found that men fare worse when they do develop the condition. Experts suggest this may be due to differences in the nature of stress triggers. For men, physical stressors like surgery or illness are more common, whereas women more often experience emotional triggers such as grief or job Ilan Wittstein, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, noted that emotional stressors, which are more common among women, tend to result in better outcomes. In contrast, the severe physical stressors that often precede the condition in men could lead to worse also pointed out that men may have lower levels of social support during recovery, potentially contributing to delayed healing and increased risk. He emphasized that unresolved stress might prolong damage to the heart, hindering of the most concerning findings of the study was the lack of improvement in mortality rates over the five-year period. This suggests that current treatment methods are insufficient and highlights the urgency of better clinical care and factors such as hospital size, income levels, and insurance status also appeared to influence outcomes, although the study indicated more research is needed to understand their full findings underscore the importance of recognizing and treating Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a serious condition.
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
