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Happy events can cause potentially fatal rare heart condition Happy events can cause potentially fatal rare heart condition
(6 months later)
A rare condition that triggers a potentially fatal weakening of the heart can be caused by happy events as well as emotional shocks such as grief or sadness.A rare condition that triggers a potentially fatal weakening of the heart can be caused by happy events as well as emotional shocks such as grief or sadness.
Since 1990, doctors have recognised a condition known as Takotsubo syndrome, or TTS, which typically occurs in women after upsetting episodes such as the death of a spouse or parent, the breakdown of a relationship, or being diagnosed with cancer.Since 1990, doctors have recognised a condition known as Takotsubo syndrome, or TTS, which typically occurs in women after upsetting episodes such as the death of a spouse or parent, the breakdown of a relationship, or being diagnosed with cancer.
Now research has shown that the same outcome can follow happy or joyful events. Scientists have named the new condition “happy heart syndrome”.Now research has shown that the same outcome can follow happy or joyful events. Scientists have named the new condition “happy heart syndrome”.
Related: You can die of 'broken heart syndrome'
TTS leads to characteristic changes in the shape of the heart. The main symptoms are breathlessness and chest pains but the condition is temporary and reversible after a few days or weeks. It is unusual for it to occur again in the same patient.TTS leads to characteristic changes in the shape of the heart. The main symptoms are breathlessness and chest pains but the condition is temporary and reversible after a few days or weeks. It is unusual for it to occur again in the same patient.
The researchers analysed data from 1,750 patients diagnosed with TTS in nine different countries. Of 485 patients for whom a definite emotional trigger could be identified, 96% had suffered sad and stressful events such as the loss of a loved one, attending a funeral, being hurt in an accident, or experiencing an illness or relationship problems. One obese patient was stricken after getting stuck in the bath.The researchers analysed data from 1,750 patients diagnosed with TTS in nine different countries. Of 485 patients for whom a definite emotional trigger could be identified, 96% had suffered sad and stressful events such as the loss of a loved one, attending a funeral, being hurt in an accident, or experiencing an illness or relationship problems. One obese patient was stricken after getting stuck in the bath.
But in the case of the remaining 20 individuals, heart damage appeared to have been triggered by happy occasions including a birthday party, a wedding, a surprise celebration, the birth of a great grandchild, a favourite rugby team winning a game and a trip to the opera. The findings are published in the European Heart Journal.But in the case of the remaining 20 individuals, heart damage appeared to have been triggered by happy occasions including a birthday party, a wedding, a surprise celebration, the birth of a great grandchild, a favourite rugby team winning a game and a trip to the opera. The findings are published in the European Heart Journal.
Dr Jelena Ghadri, from University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland, where the world’s first TTS registry is based, said: “We have shown that the triggers for TTS can be more varied than previously thought. A TTS patient is no longer the classic ‘broken-hearted’ patient, and the disease can be preceded by positive emotions too.Dr Jelena Ghadri, from University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland, where the world’s first TTS registry is based, said: “We have shown that the triggers for TTS can be more varied than previously thought. A TTS patient is no longer the classic ‘broken-hearted’ patient, and the disease can be preceded by positive emotions too.
“Clinicians should be aware of this and also consider that patients who arrive in the emergency department with signs of heart attacks, such as chest pain and breathlessness, but after a happy event or emotion, could be suffering from TTS just as much as a similar patient presenting after a negative emotional event.“Clinicians should be aware of this and also consider that patients who arrive in the emergency department with signs of heart attacks, such as chest pain and breathlessness, but after a happy event or emotion, could be suffering from TTS just as much as a similar patient presenting after a negative emotional event.
“Our findings broaden the clinical spectrum of TTS. They also suggest that happy and sad life events may share similar emotional pathways that can ultimately cause TTS.”“Our findings broaden the clinical spectrum of TTS. They also suggest that happy and sad life events may share similar emotional pathways that can ultimately cause TTS.”
Takotsubo syndrome takes its name from a Japanese octopus trap that resembles the distorted shape of the left ventricle of a heart affected by TTS. The condition, which occurs suddenly, causes the heart chamber to balloon out at the bottom while the neck remains narrow.Takotsubo syndrome takes its name from a Japanese octopus trap that resembles the distorted shape of the left ventricle of a heart affected by TTS. The condition, which occurs suddenly, causes the heart chamber to balloon out at the bottom while the neck remains narrow.
Scientists are still trying to understand the mechanism behind TTS, which is thought to involve links between psychological stimuli, the brain, and the cardiovascular system.Scientists are still trying to understand the mechanism behind TTS, which is thought to involve links between psychological stimuli, the brain, and the cardiovascular system.
In the study, 95% of both “broken heart” and “happy heart” patients were women. The average age of the “broken” group was 65 and of the “happy” group 71.In the study, 95% of both “broken heart” and “happy heart” patients were women. The average age of the “broken” group was 65 and of the “happy” group 71.
The study’s co-author, Dr Christian Templin, also from University Hospital Zurich, said: “Perhaps both happy and sad life events, while inherently distinct, share final common pathways in the central nervous system output, which ultimately lead to TTS.”The study’s co-author, Dr Christian Templin, also from University Hospital Zurich, said: “Perhaps both happy and sad life events, while inherently distinct, share final common pathways in the central nervous system output, which ultimately lead to TTS.”