New Delhi, 18 September (IANS). Millions of people worldwide suffer from ‘Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy’. It is known as Broken Heart Syndrome. Due to this disease, the shape of the heart muscle changes and they suddenly become weak. This is usually caused by severe emotional or physical stress such as losing someone.
‘Takotsubo syndrome’ can also cause heart rate and premature death. Earlier there was confusion about its treatment but now doctors believe that treatment is possible.
The symptoms of ‘Broken Heart syndrome’ are similar to heart attack. Some people experience heart failure, resulting in weak symptoms such as fatigue. It arises from mental and emotional state, so it is believed that there is no cure for it.
But now, doctors may have an answer. The world’s first controlled trial on the Broken Heart syndrome found that 12 -week coomal behavioral therapy (CBT) or swimming, cycling and aerobics can help the hearts of patients to recover.
This success was details at the annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology in Madrid.
Dr. David Gamble, Clinical Lecturer of Cardiology at the University of Aberdeen, said, “In Takotsubo syndrome, the heart has a serious effect. Its effect can remain on the patient for a lifetime.”
Gamble said that the test data highlighted the importance of “brain-mortar axis”. He said, “It shows that cognitive behavior therapy (psychiatrist’s session) or exercise can help patients recover. Both are very affordable measures, and we hope that further studies will help people suffering from it.”
The study included 76 patients suffering from Takotsubo syndrome, of which 91 percent were women, whose average age was 66 years. Patients were selected for CBT, exercise program or healthcare as per their wish. All were also asked to continue the measures suggested by their cardiologist.
Researchers held 12 sessions for the CBT group and also provided daily assistance when needed.
The exercise group became part of the 12-week exercise course. Which included physical exertion such as cycling, aerobics and swimming, and the number and intensity of sessions gradually increased every week.
Researchers used an imaging technique called 31 peamagnetic resonance spectroscopy, helping them to study how patients are producing, storing and using heart energy. In CBT and exercise groups, a significant increase in the amount of fuel available to pump the heart of patients was seen, which did not see in people receiving normal care.
Patients receiving CBT, who used to cover up to 402 meters on an average in the first six minutes, increased to 458 meters. People who completed exercise programs, who could run 457 meters before in six minutes, started average 528 meters.
Experts said that findings suggest that these treatment can prove to be very beneficial later.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, the diagnostic director of the British Heart Foundation, which funds this test, said: “Takotsubo syndrome can be a devastating situation that makes you extremely sensitive when due to a big life event.”
-IANS
KR/
