Broken Heart Syndrome Is on the Rise

The emotional stress of a broken heart can lead to cardiomyopathy and a broken heart. The incidence of this heart condition is rising in this group of people.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Broken heart syndrome is also called Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Under severe emotional stress the left ventricle of the heart can balloon and trigger what looks like a heart attack

• Data show that the incidence of TTS was rising before COVID-19 began spreading, especially in middle-aged and older women

• Scientists have long suspected that th…