Men at higher risk of death from broken heart than women–Cardiologist warns

Men are at significantly higher risk of dying from broken heart syndrome than women, according to new medical research.

The condition, known in medical terms as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is caused by extreme emotional or physical stress.

It mimics a heart attack and can cause serious complications like heart failure, blood clots, or cardiac arrest.

The syndrome temporarily weakens the heart’s main pumping chamber, leading to chest pain and shortness of breath.

Despite being more commonly diagnosed in women, men face more than double the death risk, researchers have now confirmed.

A large study reviewed nearly 200,000 U.S. hospital cases from 2016 to 2020 to arrive at this finding.

Men represented only 17% of the patients but had a mortality rate of 11.2%, far higher than women’s rate.

Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, lead author and cardiology professor, called the gender difference in outcome “striking.”

“This gap demands urgent explanation. Something about how men respond to stress could be far more damaging,” he said.

The heart condition is typically triggered by stressors like death of a loved one, divorce, or financial shock.

However, even positive emotional events like winning the lottery have been known to cause takotsubo syndrome.

Experts believe biological differences may explain why men die more often from this stress-induced heart failure.

Men produce higher levels of catecholamines, stress hormones that can severely damage the heart muscle.

In contrast, estrogen in women may protect the heart from those same hormones, researchers suggested.

Another factor is misdiagnosis. Doctors often consider the condition a “women’s disease” and may miss signs in men.

This delay in treatment can prove fatal, according to cardiologists involved in the study.

Men are also less likely to seek medical help quickly, worsening their chance of survival.

Dr. Deepak Bhatt of Mount Sinai Heart Hospital confirmed this gender-based medical bias exists.

“Doctors must learn that broken heart syndrome doesn’t only affect women,” he said.

“Every second counts. Ignoring chest pain or shortness of breath can be deadly,” he warned.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adjusted for race, age, and other illnesses.

However, it excluded outpatient records and deaths outside hospitals, suggesting the actual death rate may be higher.

Dr. Louis Vincent, a cardiologist at the University of Miami, said the research highlights serious gender gaps.

“Data proves that men face worse outcomes, but nobody talks about that,” he said.

Experts now recommend daily stress management practices like meditation, exercise, and therapy for men.

“Building emotional resilience can prevent tragic outcomes,” Dr. Movahed advised.

Doctors warn that anyone experiencing sudden chest pain should go to a hospital immediately, regardless of gender.

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