Men Twice as Likely to Die from Broken Heart Syndrome – Study
A rare stress-induced heart condition may pose a significantly higher risk to men than women, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The condition, known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome,” mimics the symptoms of a heart attack—such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath—but is caused by a sudden surge of stress hormones that temporarily stuns the heart muscle.
Triggers can range from emotional trauma like the loss of a loved one to surprising events like winning the lottery.
Although the syndrome is more commonly diagnosed in women, new research analyzing nearly 200,000 hospitalizations across the U.S. between 2016 and 2020 found that men, who comprised just 17% of the cases, had an in-hospital mortality rate of 11.2%—more than double that of women.
“This gender gap in outcomes is striking,” said Dr. Mohammad Reza Movahed, coauthor of the study and clinical professor at the University of Arizona. “It suggests biological and social factors that we don’t yet fully understand.”
Researchers point to possible hormonal differences: men produce higher levels of catecholamines (stress hormones), which may trigger more intense heart reactions.
Meanwhile, estrogen in women is believed to offer protective effects on heart tissue during stress.
Another factor may be misdiagnosis. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is widely considered a “women’s condition,” which can lead to delays in diagnosing men. Doctors may not immediately suspect it, and men themselves are more likely to postpone seeking medical help.
“Many physicians still associate this syndrome with postmenopausal women,” said Dr. Deepak Bhatt of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital. “This outdated notion could be costing men their lives.”
When diagnosed early, broken heart syndrome is typically treatable and reversible within weeks using medication and rest.
But if left unchecked, it can lead to severe complications, including heart failure, stroke, and cardiac arrest.
Though the study adjusted for age, race, and pre-existing conditions like diabetes or lung disease, it did not include outpatient cases or post-discharge fatalities—suggesting the true impact may be even greater.
Dr. Louis Vincent, a cardiology fellow at the University of Miami, said the findings emphasize the urgent need for greater awareness and gender-specific research.
“We’ve long assumed this was a benign condition primarily affecting women,” he said. “But this data shows men are not only vulnerable—they’re dying at a higher rate.”
Experts advise anyone experiencing sudden chest pain or breathlessness to treat it as a medical emergency. Early intervention can be life-saving.
To help guard against the condition, doctors recommend stress-reducing habits like regular exercise, meditation, and counseling.
“You can’t always avoid emotional shocks,” said Movahed. “But building emotional resilience can strengthen your heart for when life throws the unexpected your way.”
Men Twice as Likely to Die from Broken Heart Syndrome – Study