Exploring takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an elderly patient with acute anxiety attack

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy ("broken heart") exhibits a highly possible link between acute emotional stress and the onset of left ventricular dysfunction. This article describes a case report of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an 89-year-old female; the patient is significantly older than the median age for this condition, which ranges from 63 to 76 years of age. The exact mechanism of this condition is unclear and there are several hypotheses under investigation. Several studies have shown a link between takotsubo cardiomyopathy and elevated catecholamines. Similarly, other studies have documented emotional and physical stress to be the underlying pathophysiology of this condition. Another case study has proposed a novel hypothesis of a link between septal thickening in cases of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This article is an interesting case report of an elderly patient with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.