Happiness can break your heart: a rare case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy after good news

Can J Cardiol. 2015 Feb;31(2):228.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2014.11.011. Epub 2014 Nov 13.

Abstract

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) mimics acute myocardial infarction on electrocardiography and is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction and positive cardiac biomarkers in the absence of significant coronary disease. In the majority of cases, TTC affects postmenopausal women and is commonly incited by a recent negative emotional stressor, although the pathophysiological mechanism of this process is incompletely understood. In contrast, we describe a case in which TTC developed after a recent positive emotional event in a postmenopausal woman.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Happiness*
  • Humans
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / diagnosis
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / etiology*
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / psychology