Overview
- A U.S. study analyzing nearly 200,000 hospitalizations from 2016–2020 found the in-hospital mortality rate for broken heart syndrome remained at 6.5%, with no improvement over time.
- Men hospitalized with the condition faced an 11.2% mortality rate, more than double the 5.5% rate seen in women, despite women comprising 83% of cases.
- Triggered by acute emotional or physical stress, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy mimics heart attack symptoms and can lead to severe complications, including heart failure, stroke, and cardiac arrest.
- Age, race, and socioeconomic factors influence vulnerability, with adults aged 46–60 showing an increased incidence compared to younger age groups.
- Researchers emphasize the urgent need for targeted therapies, improved management strategies, and deeper investigation into the condition's mechanisms and sex-based disparities.