Takotsubo syndrome: voices to be heard

Abstract

This paper is written from the perspective of patients who have been diagnosed with takotsubo syndrome. It seeks to understand why these patients may feel dissatisfied with the care they receive. We consider four factors: (a) takotsubo syndrome is a relatively new condition and the knowledge base about treatment is limited and not widely disseminated among clinicians; (b) the age and gender profile of the patient group; (c) the implications of the categorisation of takotsubo syndrome as ‘broken heart syndrome’ and the over-emphasis of it as a ‘psychosomatic’ condition; (d) concern that patients with takotsubo syndrome might be labelled as over-emotional, especially if they do not recover quickly. We argue that these factors contribute to patients with takotsubo syndrome feeling poorly served.