A Psychosomatic Perspective on Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a reversible heart condition initially described in the Japanese literature in the 1990s. The typical presentation mimics an acute coronary syndrome. It is frequently found in elderly women in the context of emotional or physical stress in the absence of significant obstructive coronary disease. The prognosis of the disease is favorable just with supportive care, but little is known about recurrence. The association between onset of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and emotional triggers is striking but has received little attention in the psychiatric literature. On the basis of current evidence, we suggest consideration of β-blockers for recurrence prevention.

Prim Care Companion for CNS Disorders 2011;13(2):e1-e4

Submitted: March 13, 2010; accepted March 19, 2010.

Published online: March 24, 2011 (doi:10.4088/PCC.10br00980).

Corresponding author: George Costin, MD, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 19636, Springfield, IL 62794-9636 ([email protected]).