Knowledge and Awareness about Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy): A Cross-sectional Survey from a Syrian Population

Introduction : Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an unclassified, non-familial form. It was originally described in Japan and is considered stress-related; the disease is characterized by an acute onset of symptoms, ECG changes mimicking myocardial infarction, and mild elevations in cardiac biomarkers, usually after physical or emotional stress. Broken heart syndrome is a form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that primarily affects postmenopausal women. The disease is characterized by an acute onset of symptoms, ECG changes mimicking myocardial infarction, and mild elevations in cardiac biomarkers, usually after physical or emotional stress. Symptoms of TCM may look like a heart attack, but the two conditions are different. In a heart attack, a large blockage in a coronary artery causes the symptoms. In TCM, there is no such blockage. Methods: 121 participants were enrolled in our study. They were directed to the first part of the survey to complete questions about socio-demographic information, including age, sex, and education level. After that, specific questions were asked to measure their knowledge and awareness of broken heart syndrome. The Arabic-language survey was posted on various social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook, targeting various social groups. Results: A total of 121 participants who completed the survey were entered. Of those, 96 (79.3%) were females, and 25 (20.6 %) were males. Participant ages ranged from 16 to 70, with the 18 - 30 age group representing the majority 98 (80.9% ). 67 participants had previously heard of broken heart syndrome, and the vast majority 104 were convinced that this syndrome occurs when a person is exposed to a major and sudden psychological or emotional event. As for the symptoms and causes, more than 30% of the sample reported that chest tightness and heart pain are symptoms of broken heart syndrome, and nearly half of the sample 48% expressed that one of the most important causes of this syndrome is emotional. Conclusion: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has important implications, however, The disease can be caused by emotional or family problems. Finally, Increasing awareness of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is likely to lead to its more frequent diagnosis.