Unlocking the Links Between Stress and ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’
A recent study uncovers how high stress levels may heighten the risk of experiencing ‘broken heart syndrome,’ also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, typically triggered by intense emotional upheaval.
Published on Mon 21 Jun 2021 by Natalie Grover, Science correspondent
Emerging findings point to two specific molecules associated with heightened stress levels, potentially contributing to the development of ‘broken heart syndrome,’ a condition primarily impacting post-menopausal women. Often initiated by significant stressors, such as the loss of a loved one, takotsubo cardiomyopathy manifests as weakening of the heart’s primary pumping chamber. Initially identified in Japan in 1990, this syndrome mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, leading to frequent misdiagnoses.
Affecting approximately 2,500 individuals annually in the UK, this syndrome mirrors the complications of an actual heart attack, raising concerns among medical professionals. The precise triggers of takotsubo remain elusive, but sudden surges in adrenaline due to acute stressors—ranging from bereavement to joyous occasions like weddings—are believed to induce partial paralysis of the heart wall, precipitating acute heart failure.
Previous research detected two molecules, microRNA-16 and microRNA-26a, associated with depression, anxiety, and heightened stress levels, in the blood of individuals with takotsubo. To assess their impact, researchers exposed human and rat heart cells to these molecules, observing heightened sensitivity to adrenaline in both sets of cells.
Lead study author Dr. Liam Couch from Imperial College London remarked that the increased exposure to these molecules replicated the physiological response seen in takotsubo patients, suggesting a potential link between long-term stress and the sudden onset of takotsubo syndrome.
Despite these promising insights, diagnosing takotsubo before its onset remains a challenge, hindering the validation of elevated microRNA levels in real-life cases. Nevertheless, the study hints at the possibility of predicting future occurrences of takotsubo in individuals who have previously experienced it, offering a glimmer of hope for proactive management.
Joel Rose, chief executive of Cardiomyopathy UK, lauded the study for shedding light on this lesser-known form of cardiomyopathy, anticipating advancements in identifying individuals susceptible to the condition and enhancing intervention strategies.
Further research, emphasized Prof Metin Avkiran, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, is imperative to explore the potential of microRNA-blocking drugs in preventing the occurrence of ‘broken hearts.’