Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy age group

Q: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is more common in? (select one)

A) younger people

B) older people

Answer: B

In the last three decades, since first described in Japan in 1990, there have been more cases reported worldwide for takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy. It has a specific characteristic of left ventricle, usually of apex as ballooning out without any known previous heart disease. It occurs under physiological or psychological stress. 

Female to male ratio is about 9:1, and the mean age of occurrence is around 66 years.

#cardiology

References:

1. Templin C, Ghadri JR, Diekmann J, et al. Clinical Features and Outcomes of Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy. N Engl J Med 2015; 373:929.

2. Akashi YJ, Goldstein DS, Barbaro G, Ueyama T. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a new form of acute, reversible heart failure. Circulation 2008; 118:2754.