‘Broken heart syndrome’ can lead to an early death, but a new study offers hope

Exercise could help mend a broken heart, a study has revealed.

“Broken heart syndrome” – officially known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – often leads to a premature death in someone who has recently lost a loved one.

A world-first trial looked at whether the impact bereavement has on the heart could be reversed through cycling, running, swimming or therapy.

Celebrities said to have died from a broken heart include Sinead O’Connor who passed away in 2023 – 18 months after the suicide of her 17-year-old son, Shane.

Irish singer Sinead O’Connor died in 2023, 18 months after the passing of her son.

The musician officially died from natural causes but Dermot Hayes, a former partner, said at the time: “From this you can surmise that a broken heart is a real illness symptom, and a cause of death.”

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Singer-songwriter Johnny Cash suffered the same fate in September 2003 when the singer’s health declined following the death of his wife, June, four months earlier.

American actress Debbie Reynolds died from a stroke on December 28, 2016, a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. Her family and friends were convinced broken heart syndrome was a catalyst for her fatal stroke.

Experts believe a “broken heart” causes the heart muscles weaken and change shape causing chest pains and changes in electrical activity. Often people experiencing these symptoms believe they are having a heart attack.

Researchers from Aberdeen University recruited 76 patients who had been diagnosed with broken heart syndrome and split them into three groups – each prescribed exercise, therapy or standard care to improve heart health.

The exercise group took part in a 12-week course which included cycling machines, treadmills, aerobics and swimming – gradually increasing in intensity each week.

The cognitive behavioural therapy group had 12 one-to-one weekly sessions. Both were shown to improve heart function.

Dr David Gamble, who presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid, said: “In Takotsubo syndrome, there are serious effects on the heart, which may not return to normal.

“We know that patients can be affected for the rest of their lives and that their long-term heart health is similar to people who have survived a heart attack.

“These results further highlight the importance of ‘the brain-heart axis’. It shows that cognitive behavioural therapy or exercise could help patients along the road to recovery.”

Diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome is rare

Many elderly people die soon after a spouse has passed away but rarely receive an official diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome.

Ninety per cent of those enrolled in the study were women and the average age was 66.

People who took part in the exercise program were able to walk an average of 528 metres in six minutes by the end of the study, compared to 457 metres at the start.

In the cognitive therapy group the average increased from 402 metres to 457 metres.

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There was also an increase in VO2 max – the maximum rate at which the body can consume and utilise oxygen during intense physical exertion – of 15 per cent in the counselling set and 18 per cent in the exercise group.

There was little change in both measures in the patient group that only received standard care.

Researchers tested the heart’s metabolism using an imaging technique called 31P-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, which allowed them to see how patients’ hearts were producing, storing and using energy.

Scientists at Aberdeen University have previously shown that patients with Takotsubo syndrome suffer long-term impaired heart metabolism.

Researchers will now test whether the treatments improve patients’ health, and reduce their risk of dying over a longer period.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, says: “Takotsubo syndrome can be a devastating condition that can affect you at a really vulnerable time if triggered by a major life event.

“It is intriguing that this study also showed that cognitive behavioural therapy improved heart function and patients’ fitness. More research is needed to find out whether these approaches improve survival or symptoms over the long term.”

The Telegraph, London

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