American Heart Association News Broken Heart Syndrome Is on the Rise Especially Among Older Women Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 06 November 2021 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles American Heart Association News Broken Heart Syndrome Is on the Rise Especially Among Older Women Skyrocketing rates of "broken heart syndrome" among older women are concerning, say Cedars-Sinai experts. Photo by Getty Images. American Heart Association News recently interviewed Susan Cheng, MD, MPH, MMSc, director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute, about an increase in cases of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is being diagnosed in middle-aged and older women more frequently. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy-also known as "broken heart syndrome"-can be triggered by emotional or physical stress. The symptoms, which include shortness of breath and chest pain, closely mirror the signs of a heart attack. Research published by Cheng and her colleagues found that cases of broken heart syndrome increased steadily between 2006 and 2017. More medical professionals were becoming aware of the condition at the time, likely accounting for the increase in cases, Cheng told American Heart Association News. But she was surprised to find that diagnoses increased at least six to 10 times more rapidly for women ages 50 to 74 than for any other demographic. "These skyrocketing rates are both intriguing and concerning," Cheng told American Heart Association News. She said the end of menopause in older women might play a role, as well as an uptick in overall stress. Cheng's study ended before COVID-19 swept the globe, but she thinks stress from the pandemic likely has led to many new cases of broken heart syndrome. "We know there have been profound effects on the heart-brain connection during the pandemic," she told American Heart Association News. "We are at the tip of the iceberg in terms of measuring what those are." Click here to read the complete article from American Heart Association News. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release American Heart Association News Broken Heart Syndrome Is on the Rise Especially Among Older Women Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home