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March 16, 2019 9:15 AM

Breaking Heart Syndrome Linked with Brain’s Control of Emotions (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News). Scientists in Switzerland have for the first time identified a tangible link between how different areas of the brain communicate with each other, and Takotsubo syndrome. TTS is a rare, potentially fatal cardiac disorder brought on by a sudden temporary weakening of the heart muscle -- typically triggered by episodes of severe emotional distress, including grief, anger, or fear, or by reactions to joyful events -- leading to heart attack and death. It's more common in women but how the disease occurs has not yet been explained (ScienceDaily). (European Society of Cardiology press release, study full text)

Previously: Broken Heart Syndrome Is A Real Thing

posted by not_the_water (6 comments total)

So Debbie Reynolds and (fictional) King Lear?
posted by Schmucko at 11:18 AM on March 16, 2019

I believe there's a Japanese word for it, but I'm drawing a very hazy memory... Shinpan maybe?
posted by dobbs at 11:51 AM on March 16, 2019

The reliably entertaining Medlife Crisis YouTube channel had a good post on this for Valentine's Day -including the Japanese term for it, which means octopus trap.
posted by Devonian at 12:29 PM on March 16, 2019 [2 favorites]

I believe there's a Japanese word for it

Shitsuren?
posted by Splunge at 1:22 PM on March 16, 2019

I thought takatsubo was the Japanese term? "Octopus trap" references the way it looks on imaging (ballooned out in a very specific way)
posted by basalganglia at 1:50 PM on March 16, 2019 [2 favorites]

"If you look closely at the MRI you can actually pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks in two."
posted by Rhaomi at 1:30 AM on March 18, 2019 [1 favorite]