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Apical swelling syndrome weakens the heart muscle, making it difficult to pump blood and causing symptoms similar to a heart attack. Also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome,” it is often linked to emotional distress and is more common in older women. Treatment involves stabilizing drugs and sometimes medical devices. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Apical swelling syndrome is a heart condition that can have serious repercussions if left untreated. It is classified as a type of cardiomyopathy, which is a condition affecting the heart muscle; in this case, the main muscle of the heart is severely weakened, which makes it difficult for the heart to pump. This condition can cause symptoms similar to those of a heart attack, and often these symptoms are the first sign of a problem.
This condition was first identified in Japanese patients and named Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. As the research slowly spread through the medical community, the term “apical swelling syndrome” became more popular, as it very aptly describes what happens to the heart muscle. Colloquially, it’s also known as “broken heart syndrome,” because the condition often occurs in response to severe stress.
In a patient with apical swelling syndrome, the walls of the heart muscle swell as it fills with blood, causing the muscle to weaken substantially. On a scan of the chest area, a distinctive swelling at the base of the heart can be identified. Patients may experience chest pains, irregular heartbeats, and shock as blood flow to the body is cut off and the heart has difficulty beating.
Treatment typically involves the use of stabilizing drugs and sometimes the implantation of a medical device that can help the heart pump. Often, the condition resolves over time with supportive treatment and as long as the patient rests and tries to refrain from involvement in stressful situations. If left untreated, the weakened heart muscle will eventually fail, leading to death.
No clear causes have been identified for apical swelling syndrome. The condition appears to be much more common among older women, which could provide a clue, and is often linked to emotional distress. Inflammatory heart disease may also be involved, as can problems with the vessels that supply blood to the heart.
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