Men face higher risk of death from ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’, study finds

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has revealed that men are over twice as likely to die from takotsubo cardiomyopathy—commonly known as “broken heart syndrome”—compared to women. The condition, often triggered by sudden emotional or physical stress, mimics symptoms of a heart attack and can lead to serious complications such as heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and stroke.

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Researchers analysed hospital data from nearly 200,000 patients across the United States between 2016 and 2020. Although women accounted for a vast majority of the cases—83%—the in-hospital mortality rate for men stood at 11.2%, significantly higher than the 5.5% observed in women. The findings suggest a pronounced gender disparity in outcomes despite the condition’s generally reversible nature.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy causes the heart’s left ventricle to temporarily weaken or change shape, often following a sudden emotional trauma or physical illness. While women are more frequently diagnosed with the syndrome, the study suggests that men may be more vulnerable to its severe outcomes due to physiological and social factors, including lower levels of social support and differing stress responses.

The study highlights the need for greater awareness of the condition’s risks among men and calls for more targeted research and treatment strategies. The consistently high fatality rate over the five-year study period points to an urgent need for improved care protocols.