What Becomes of the Broken-hearted

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes suddenly and severely weakened as a result of great emotional and/or physical stress, causing the heart's left ventricle (main pumping chamber) to become significantly enlarged, resembling a Japanese octopus trap (a tako-tsubo). Correctly diagnosed and treated, the condition is usually fully reversible. Based around her own experience of this syndrome following her mother's suicide, the Author explains the risks, the signs to look out for, the Dos and Don'ts and the best ways to promote recovery. She includes a selection of other patients' stories that show the diversity of traumas that can lead to the syndrome, as well as input from a range of health professionals who share the difficulties of identifying and treating the condition.