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Doctors can mend a broken heart

By Lucy Halfhead on Monday 30 March 2009

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It is possible to mend a broken heart after all say scientists.

US researchers studied 70 patients with ‘broken heart syndrome’, a recognised condition linked to stressful or emotional events. All these patients recovered, most after being given aspirin or heart drugs, even though 20% were deemed critically ill.

Broken heart syndrome, known medically as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, was first described by Japanese researchers in the early 1990s. The American Journal of Cardiology study says the condition is probably caused by a surge in stress hormones.

Around 67% of patients had been exposed to some sort of physical or emotional distress - such as bad news about a family member, a domestic argument, severe physical illness or a car accident - just before the onset of symptoms.

Even though symptoms mimic those of a heart attack such as chest pain and shortness of breath, broken heart syndrome does appear to be temporary and completely reversible - if treated quickly.

Overall, the majority of those in the registry were prescribed aspirin or heart drugs such as, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins while in hospital. The researchers also discovered that, unlike heart attacks which tend to occur in winter, broken heart syndrome cases tend to occur in the spring and summer months.

Dr Richard Regnante from the Miriam Hospital, who led the research, said 'Some believe it is simply a form of a heart attack that ‘aborts’ itself early and therefore doesn't leave any permanent heart muscle damage.'

June Davison, a spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘There does seem to be an association between this condition and a very stressful event. But not enough people have been affected to provide hard evidence of what happens and what actually causes it. However people do seem to make a full recovery.’

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Monday 30 March 2009

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Had the real heart attacks felt no pain. Had the Operation recovered. Fell in love had heart broken again this time I felt the pain. Never again.
Comment by Helen on July 14 11:46