Updated
Updated · Gulf News · Jul 19
65-Year-Old Woman Develops Rare Heart Syndrome After Wedding Joy, Recovering From 35% Ejection Fraction
Updated
Updated · Gulf News · Jul 19

65-Year-Old Woman Develops Rare Heart Syndrome After Wedding Joy, Recovering From 35% Ejection Fraction

3 articles · Updated · Gulf News · Jul 19

Summary

  • A 65-year-old woman was discharged after treatment for “happy heart syndrome,” with follow-up showing her heart function had recovered enough for normal daily activity.
  • Three days of chest pain and worsening shortness of breath initially pointed to a heart attack: ECG changes and elevated troponin led doctors to admit her to intensive care for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
  • Coronary angiography found no blocked arteries, while apical ballooning and an ejection fraction drop to 35% from 58% five months earlier confirmed Takotsubo syndrome; MRI later ruled out heart attack and myocarditis.
  • Doctors linked the episode to overwhelming joy at her daughter’s wedding, identifying the rare “happy heart” subtype first described in 2016.
  • The report says happy heart syndrome makes up about 4.1% of Takotsubo cases, which themselves account for roughly 1% to 3% of patients first thought to be having heart attacks.

Insights

Why does the heart react to extreme joy and devastating grief in the same dangerous way?
Since even happiness can be a heart risk, what are the long-term cognitive effects?