In a 2020 U.S. study analyzing over 135,000 hospitalizations, women made up 88.3% of patients, but men had worse in-hospital outcomes, including higher rates of cardiogenic shock and mortality. Representative Image: FreePik
Medicine

Men Face Higher Death Risk from Broken Heart Syndrome

New studies show men are more likely to be at risk

MBT Desk

A recently published study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reviewed the medical records of nearly 200,000 adults in America between 2016 and 2020. Although the so-called broken heart syndrome is more commonly diagnosed in women, men were found to be twice as likely to die of the condition.

While 5.5% of the women who had the disease died, the mortality rate among men was 11.2%. The huge gender gap in the results has alarmed researchers.

What is Broken Heart Syndrome?
Broken heart syndrome, also referred to as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a rare but serious type of heart disease that most often occurs in response to extreme emotional or physical stress, such as the loss of a loved one. Although it resembles a heart attack, it is caused by a short-term disruption in the functioning of the heart, rather than clogged arteries. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and in some cases, life-threatening illnesses. The condition is fatal if left untreated.

Age, race, and risk: Who is most vulnerable?

The research suggests that risk increases significantly with age. Those aged 61 and over were affected most, although those aged 46-60 years also had a much higher risk than young adults. The highest rate of disease was among white adults (0.16%), then Native Americans (0.13%), and black adults (0.07%).

Common complications in patients are:

  • Heart failure (35.9%)

  • Atrial fibrillation (20.7%)

  • Cardiac shock (6.6%)

  • Stroke (5.3%)

  • Cardiac arrest (3.4%)

These complications necessitate an early diagnosis and monitoring.

Largest international database of takotsubo (Broken Heart syndrome) cases; found that neurological and psychiatric disorders are more common in affected individuals, and individuals with pre-existing anxiety or depression were significantly more likely to develop stress-related cardiac events. (UK Biobank)

Why are men dying at a greater rate?

The reasons for men's higher mortality are not entirely certain. However, researchers speculate that differences in hormones or greater exposure to physical stress in men may be responsible.

Senior author of the study and cardiologist, Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, described the rate of mortality as "alarming" and emphasized the need for more targeted research and improved treatment recommendations.

"Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a serious condition with a substantial risk of death and severe complications,” said study author Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed

Socioeconomic factors are also involved.

Moreover, the study cited socioeconomic determinants like income level, insurance status, and size of the hospital as potential factors affecting patient outcomes. Further research, however, is needed to ascertain how these factors are affecting recovery and death.

What is to be done?

Dr. Movahed appealed to medical professionals to be aware of takotsubo cardiomyopathy and treat it early, especially in the elderly who are under tremendous stress. With greater awareness, vigilant monitoring, and early treatment, many of the catastrophic effects of the condition can be avoided.

References:

  1. American Heart Association. "The Risk of Death or Complications from Broken Heart Syndrome Was High from 2016 to 2020." American Heart Association Newsroom, May 14, 2025. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/the-risk-of-death-or-complications-from-broken-heart-syndrome-was-high-from-2016-to-2020.

  2. Movahed, M. Reza, et al. "High Mortality and Complications in Patients Admitted With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Nationwide Inpatient Analysis." Journal of the American Heart Association 14, no. 10 (2025): e037219. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.124.037219.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)

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