One of my passions, beginning as a neophytic medical student, has been to catalog and learn about medically related eponyms. To this day, when I come across an eponym that is unfamiliar, I immediately seek out its derivation and symptom complex. As I have advanced further in my academic surgical career, it has given me an opportunity to impart this wisdom to my younger colleagues.

It was in this vein that I recently came across an unrecognized eponym, Takotsubo syndrome. Now, some of my colleagues in the cardiothoracic world may be familiar with this entity, but for me, an exploration of the internet was an absolute necessity. I found that this syndrome, also referred to as “broken heart syndrome,” was first described in Japan in 1990, and refers to temporary cardiac failure that occurs after sudden emotional or physical stress, causing the myocardium to weaken and change shape. On imaging, the heart takes on the appearance of a Japanese octopus fishing pot called a “takotsubo.” Although having a greater propensity to occur in women, it does affect both sexes.

It occurred to me that this syndrome, although not usually seasonal, might well have taken on a greater medical importance and heightened incidence after late fall of 2024. Although there has been no demographic statistic that indicates greater epidemiological significance for those living in the United States, I posit that we might indeed see an upswing of this stress-induced process in the foreseeable future. While not limiting the syndrome to Americans, a significant number of individuals immigrating to and residing within the United States may also be at risk. A worldwide uptick in this anxiety-related entity may also be amplified in many other countries that have traditionally identified those of us in the United States as friends and colleagues. As seen in the surveillance of malignancies, we may, in fact, need to create both national and international registries that can capture and track the outcomes of patients affected by Takotsubo syndrome.

Over the last couple of months, etiologic elements linked to both emotional and physical stress have escalated for many as our daily anxieties related to governmental threats, health-related dangers, economic hazards, climatological menaces, agricultural fears, environmental horrors, work-related intrusions, financial jeopardies, culturally related perils and international vulnerabilities have escalated. I can only assume that many individuals have indeed been affected by at least some signs attributed to Takotubo syndrome but have been unwilling to seek appropriate treatment. The worrisome issue, associated with many acute and chronic diseases, is that symptoms go unrecognized, and adequate screening and medical care remain unsought. Research employing clinical trials to assess proper treatment of broken heart syndrome may, in fact, be compromised.

Obviously, like many healthcare issues, the etiologic cause of a disease, whether infectious, environmental or genetic, must first be identified before appropriate prophylaxis and treatment can be instituted. Regarding Takotsubo syndrome, we must all be vigilant in identifying and ameliorating the physical and emotional stressors that are capable of bringing on this cardiac condition. We, and only we, have the ability to reduce the increase of broken heart syndrome. I am eagerly awaiting some epidemiological reporting on the spread of this process, but, mysteriously, have not seen any.

Dr. Greene is the senior medical advisor for General Surgery News.