Overview
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy — also called Takotsubo syndrome, stress cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome, or 'broken heart syndrome' — is a temporary heart condition where the left ventricle (the heart's main pumping chamber) suddenly weakens and changes shape. The name comes from a Japanese octopus trap ('tako-tsubo') because the heart takes on a similar rounded shape during an episode. This condition is usually triggered by intense emotional stress (like grief or fear) or physical stress (like surgery or a serious illness), which causes a surge of stress hormones that temporarily stun the heart muscle. During an episode, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, which can cause symptoms that look very similar to a heart attack. Most people experience sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes irregular heartbeats. Unlike a true heart attack, the arteries are not blocked — the heart muscle is simply stunned. The good news is that Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy is usually reversible. Most people recover fully within weeks to months with proper medical care. Treatment focuses on supporting the heart while it heals, managing symptoms, and reducing the risk of future episodes. In rare cases, serious complications can occur, so prompt medical attention is essential.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Sudden chest pain or pressureShortness of breathIrregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)Feeling faint or actually faintingLow blood pressureNauseaSweatingFatigue and weaknessFluid buildup in the lungs (in severe cases)Cardiogenic shock (very rare, severe drop in heart function)
Clinical phenotype terms (37)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsUniversity of Edinburgh — NA
Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences — NA
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Spanish Society of Cardiology — PHASE4
A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza
Weill Medical College of Cornell University — NA
Pensionsversicherungsanstalt — NA
Steen Hvitfeldt Poulsen — NA
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.
20 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Stunning in Takotsubo Versus Acute Myocardial Infarction
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in LF/LG Aortic Stenosis and Wild-type Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: The Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute Takotsubo Registry & Proteomic Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Establishing the Incidence of Tako-tsubo Cardiomyopathy in Scotland
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Psychosocial Support for Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Cardiac Assessment and Takotsubo-stunning Among COPD-exacerbations In-Hospital
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Cyclosporine In Takotsubo Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: BROKEN-SWEDEHEART- Optimized Pharmacological Treatment for Broken Heart (Takotsubo) Syndrome.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Polish Registry of Takotsubo Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
New recruiting trial: Prognotic Role of CMR in Takotsubo Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Has my heart fully recovered, and how will we know when it has?,What activities should I avoid during recovery, and when can I return to normal exercise?,What is my risk of this happening again, and what can I do to reduce that risk?,Do I need to take medications long-term, or only during recovery?,Should I see a mental health professional to help manage stress and prevent future episodes?,Are there any warning signs I should watch for at home that would mean I need to go to the emergency room?,Do any of my current medications or health conditions increase my risk of another episode?
Common questions about Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy
What is Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy?
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy — also called Takotsubo syndrome, stress cardiomyopathy, apical ballooning syndrome, or 'broken heart syndrome' — is a temporary heart condition where the left ventricle (the heart's main pumping chamber) suddenly weakens and changes shape. The name comes from a Japanese octopus trap ('tako-tsubo') because the heart takes on a similar rounded shape during an episode. This condition is usually triggered by intense emotional stress (like grief or fear) or physical stress (like surgery or a serious illness), which causes a surge of stress hormones that temporarily stun t
How is Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy inherited?
Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy typically begin?
Typical onset of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy?
25 specialists and care centers treating Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.