Men Twice as Likely to Die From ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ Despite It Being More Common in Women — Study

Though “broken heart syndrome”—medically known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC)—affects mostly women, a new U.S. study reveals men are more than twice as likely to die from it.

The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that men with TC had an 11.2% mortality rate versus 5.5% for women. The condition affects the heart’s ability to pump effectively after sudden emotional or physical stress.

Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, the study’s lead author, noted that the consistently high death rates and serious complications—such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and cardiogenic shock—demand more targeted research and treatment strategies.

Often mistaken for a heart attack, TC is triggered by a surge in stress hormones and may develop after traumatic events like the loss of a loved one or an accident. While most patients recover within two months, the condition remains unpredictable and can have deadly consequences—especially in men.

Despite its nickname, TC isn’t always tied to emotional trauma and may also occur after physical stress or with no clear trigger at all. Diagnosis typically involves ruling out blocked arteries and using imaging tests to examine the heart’s left ventricle.

Researchers reviewed nearly 200,000 TC cases between 2016 and 2020 using U.S. hospital data. Women made up 83% of cases, with the average age being 67. Most were white, raising questions about disparities in diagnosis.

Cardiologist Dr. Abha Khandelwal, who was not involved in the study, said the condition’s reputation as a “woman’s disease” might lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment in men, contributing to their higher death rates.

While TC remains rare—accounting for 2–3% of acute coronary cases, and up to 6% among women—doctors stress the importance of recognizing its symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and cold sweats.

Though TC can be managed, its underlying causes and risk factors remain elusive, making prevention difficult. Experts agree that more research is needed to identify who’s at risk and how to better treat the most dangerous cases.