National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Broken heart syndrome


Other Names:
Transient antero-apical dyskinesia; Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy; Tako-tsubo syndrome; Transient antero-apical dyskinesia; Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy; Tako-tsubo syndrome; Tako tsubo syndrome; Left ventricular transient apical ballooning; Stress-induced cardiomyopathy; Apical ballooning syndrome; Broken-heart syndrome; Acute stress cardiomyopathy; ASC; Stress cardiomyopathy See More
Categories:
Broken heart syndrome is a temporary condition that affects the heart. In people with this condition, extreme emotional or physical stress (i.e. intense grief, anger, surprise, illness or surgery) can lead to heart muscle failure. Signs and symptoms of the condition mimic those of a heart attack and may include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat. The cause of broken heart syndrome is not completely understood. Some researchers believe that it may occur when certain hormones released during times of stress temporarily affect the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body. Treatment is available to manage the symptoms of the condition. Fortunately, most affected people have a full and quick recovery with no permanent damage to the heart muscle.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 3/27/2017

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
Differential diagnoses include AMI, myocarditis, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Broken heart syndrome. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Heart Association has an information page on Broken heart syndrome. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
  • The Mayo Clinic Web site provides further information on Broken heart syndrome.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Broken heart syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Eric B Tomich, DO. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Medscape Reference. January 2017; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1513631-overview.
  2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Broken Heart Syndrome. Mayo Clinic. November 2016; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/home/ovc-20264165.
  3. What is Broken Heart Syndrome. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. October 2014; https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/broken-heart-syndrome.