Are You Suffering From ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’? Help Is On The Way

Have you ever heard of someone suffering from broken heart syndrome? Or do you think you are suffering from it too?

Well, relax, a treatment is on the way!

Some groups of Scientists have come together with the hope to recruit almost 100 recruits for a trial of the first ever treatment for ‘broken heart syndrome’.

According to Mayo Clinic, Broken heart syndrome is similar to a heart attack. It is a temporary heart condition that’s often brought on by stressful situations and extreme emotions. The condition can also be triggered by a serious physical illness or surgery.

People with broken heart syndrome may have sudden chest pain or think they’re having a heart attack. Broken heart syndrome affects just part of the heart, temporarily disrupting the heart’s usual pumping function. The rest of the heart continues to work properly or may even squeeze (contract) more forcefully.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen are working on how to help those with broken heart syndrome also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy – a condition that affects around 5,000 people across the UK every year.

At least 7 percent of all heart attacks are attributed to the condition, where the heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened, usually because of severe emotional or physical stress.

Scientists will trial a program of exercise and psychological therapies for those affected, with the work – described as a “huge step towards developing a standardized treatment” – taking place thanks to a grant of £300,000 from the British Heart Foundation

The university has already led the way in research into the condition, which was only recognized in the late 1990s.

The new trial aims to recruit 90 people from across Scotland, with participants signed up within three weeks of suffering an episode.

They will then be given either a personalized exercise conditioning program, a regime of cognitive behavioral therapy, or be part of a control group.

The research is set to last for the next three years.

Dr. David Gamble, from the University of Aberdeen, said: “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, remains a comparatively poorly understood condition.

“It is vital that we develop a high-quality evidence base to guide clinicians in the management of this condition.

“In many clinical intervention trials, we are attempting to make incremental improvements to existing treatments, but as broken heart syndrome is at such an early stage there is no established treatment to use as a base.”

Professor Dana Dawson, also from the university, said: “We already know that cardiovascular disease affects men and women in different ways, so there is no reason why a one-size-fits-all treatment should work for broken heart syndrome.

“After so long spent researching this condition, it is great to be taking this huge step towards developing a standardized treatment for it and we look forward to seeing the results in due course.”

Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Takotsubo syndrome is a sudden and potentially catastrophic heart condition which has only been recognized in recent years.

“As such, these trials to find the first ever treatment for the condition are a huge step forward and will play a significant role in increasing our understanding of this neglected area of cardiology.”