Takotsubo is a disease during which the left ventricle of the heart balloons or inflames due to stress. Most doctors describe this stress as a surge of stress hormones that come to the heart. This stress can be caused emotionally or physically. Another name for Takotsubo is Broken Heart Syndrome because many times the emotional stress is caused by a tragic event such as loss of a loved one. Physical stress can be brought about in many ways such as a strenuous activity or decreased bloodflow.
The symptoms of Takotsubo closely resemble those of a heart attack. These symptoms include, chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and any general weaknesses. Because their symptoms are so similar many victims of Takotsubo think they are experiencing a heart attack. Because of this confusion many people rush to the hospital and normally a doctor at the emergency room will diagnose Takotsubo. When diagnosing Takotsubo most doctors use a process of elimination. They narrow down the possibilities by eliminating diseases such as a heart attack as a diagnosis. Doctors will perform many tests to help diagnose the disaese. These tests may include, an electrocardiogram, a chest x-ray, an echocardiogram- all of which give images of the heart, and blood test to check enzyme levels in the blood. The main characteristics of Takotsubo are, signs of stress, such as high cardiac enzyme levels, on the heart. Inflamation or ballooning, no permanent damage to the heart, and no blocked or narrowed arteries.
Takotsbu is truly an amazing disease. There are not many treatments because it heals by itself! When you arrive at the hospital because you think you are having a heart attack the doctors will immeadeatly begin treatments for a heart attack. They may give you medications such as beta blockers, which reduce the amount of work the heart does. Pain relievers, asprins, which reduce blood clotting, Thrombolytics, which help dissolve clots, nitroclycerin, and cholesterol lowering medications. Once the diagnosis is clear the doctors will treat you with ACE inhibitors, more beta blockers, and diuretics, which also reduce the amount of work the heart does. With rest and these few minor medication and Takotsbuo recedes from the heart.
Takotsubo doesn't have many physical effects on the victims life. Other than having to keep a low stress low level and getteng conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure under control, and sometimes long term medications no major physical effects normally take place. Emotionally, and mentally is where Takotsubo hits hard. Most people change their lifestyles because of the scare Takotsubo provides. Because at first they think they are having a heart attack the victims are very scared. To prevent another attack they change their eating habits, they become more active and they keep a low stress level. Most people live life to the fullest and they realize how lucky they are they didn't have a heart attack. Overall Takotsubo is a scary disease, and we are very lucky that it is so rare.
Takotsubo is a disease during which the left ventricle of the heart balloons or inflames due to stress. Most doctors describe this stress as a surge of stress hormones that come to the heart. This stress can be caused emotionally or physically. Another name for Takotsubo is Broken Heart Syndrome because many times the emotional stress is caused by a tragic event such as loss of a loved one. Physical stress can be brought about in many ways such as a strenuous activity or decreased bloodflow.
The symptoms of Takotsubo closely resemble those of a heart attack. These symptoms include, chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and any general weaknesses. Because their symptoms are so similar many victims of Takotsubo think they are experiencing a heart attack. Because of this confusion many people rush to the hospital and normally a doctor at the emergency room will diagnose Takotsubo. When diagnosing Takotsubo most doctors use a process of elimination. They narrow down the possibilities by eliminating diseases such as a heart attack as a diagnosis. Doctors will perform many tests to help diagnose the disaese. These tests may include, an electrocardiogram, a chest x-ray, an echocardiogram- all of which give images of the heart, and blood test to check enzyme levels in the blood. The main characteristics of Takotsubo are, signs of stress, such as high cardiac enzyme levels, on the heart. Inflamation or ballooning, no permanent damage to the heart, and no blocked or narrowed arteries.
Takotsbu is truly an amazing disease. There are not many treatments because it heals by itself! When you arrive at the hospital because you think you are having a heart attack the doctors will immeadeatly begin treatments for a heart attack. They may give you medications such as beta blockers, which reduce the amount of work the heart does. Pain relievers, asprins, which reduce blood clotting, Thrombolytics, which help dissolve clots, nitroclycerin, and cholesterol lowering medications. Once the diagnosis is clear the doctors will treat you with ACE inhibitors, more beta blockers, and diuretics, which also reduce the amount of work the heart does. With rest and these few minor medication and Takotsbuo recedes from the heart.
Takotsubo doesn't have many physical effects on the victims life. Other than having to keep a low stress low level and getteng conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure under control, and sometimes long term medications no major physical effects normally take place. Emotionally, and mentally is where Takotsubo hits hard. Most people change their lifestyles because of the scare Takotsubo provides. Because at first they think they are having a heart attack the victims are very scared. To prevent another attack they change their eating habits, they become more active and they keep a low stress level. Most people live life to the fullest and they realize how lucky they are they didn't have a heart attack. Overall Takotsubo is a scary disease, and we are very lucky that it is so rare.