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A 59-year-old man experienced severe chest pain and shortness of breath upon arriving at Peking University First Hospital in Beijing. Doctors diagnosed him with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome. Though this stress-induced heart condition is more common in women, recent research has found it is potentially more deadly for men.

A study published in May by the Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed data from nearly 200,000 American patients hospitalized for takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) between 2016 and 2020. The research revealed that although women constituted 83% of TC cases, men had a mortality rate of 11.2%, making them more than twice as likely to die from the condition.

Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson and coauthor of the study, pointed out the stark differences between men and women, calling for further investigation. One theory posits that men produce higher levels of catecholamines, the fight-or-flight hormones, during stressful events, which may contribute to more severe cases of TC in men.

Conversely, estrogen in women might offer a protective effect by helping manage the influx of catecholamines, suggesting biological differences could play a significant role in the discrepancy.

Social factors also contribute to this disparity, according to Dr. Deepak Bhatt, director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital. He noted that TC might be underdiagnosed in men, delaying their treatment and leading to worse outcomes. Additionally, men might hesitate to seek medical help, hoping their symptoms will subside.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy presents with symptoms similar to a heart attack, such as chest pain and heart palpitations. Men are especially urged to treat any sudden, severe chest pain or shortness of breath as a medical emergency. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, as timely medication can mitigate complications like blood clots, stroke, cardiac arrest, and heart failure.

The study, which was comprehensive but limited to in-patient data, did not account for comorbid conditions such as previous strokes or COVID-19 infections. Dr. Movahed emphasized the need for further research using more detailed datasets to better understand and address the gender disparities in TC mortality.

In conclusion, managing chronic stress through daily routines, including meditation and exercise, can improve overall cardiovascular health and prepare individuals to better cope with sudden stress, potentially reducing the risk of severe complications from TC.