Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy - St Vincent's Heart Health

The heart’s main pumping chamber changes shape, affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

The heart’s chamber looks similar to a Tako-Tsubo pot, which is a Japanese fishing pot used to catch octopus. 

These symptoms are similar to heart attack.

The main symptoms are

• sudden chest pain
• shortness of breath
• fainting, usually after feeling severe stress.

It is caused by an extremely stressful physical or emotional event.

Potential triggers can include:

• The death of a loved one
• A frightening medical diagnosis
• Domestic abuse
• Strong arguments
• Public speaking
• Job loss or financial difficulty
• Divorce
• An unexpected loss or a sudden illness, etc.

Medication is the most common treatment. Medication will reduce the stress on your heart and help your heart muscle recover, and most people only need to take it for a short time.

Also the good news is that the heart muscle usually heals within 2-4 weeks, and most people fully recover within two months.