World’s first trial to mend broken heart syndrome begins at the University of Aberdeen
Last updated 18 hours ago
An Aberdeenshire woman recovering from broken heart syndrome is helping scientists search for the first proven treatment for it.
This is the world's 1st clinical trial into Takotsubo, which can be fatal, and is led by Aberdeen University.
57-year-old year old Brenda Young from St Fergus is one of about 1,000 patients taking part across 40 UK hospitals.
She suffered major chest pains after her mother passed away last November.
Within minutes of her mum’s passing, Brenda describes feeling an ‘intense, overwhelming pain in the middle of my chest.’
“I just remember thinking – this cannot be happening – not today. I knew there was something really wrong. My family were all around my mum’s bedside and I thought ‘how can I tell them I’m having chest pain? Not now!’”
"Probably having a heart attack"
Following a series of tests, Brenda was told by one of the doctors that she had ‘probably had a heart attack’.
Brenda was quickly admitted to hospital and following further tests, was advised that what she had experienced was the ‘broken heart syndrome’ or a takotsubo cardiomyopathy attack. Brenda was perplexed: “I said, what on Earth is that?! I had never heard of this before.”
Over the next few days and weeks, Brenda was treated with medication and given the same advice as she would following a heart attack. This is despite the two conditions being physiologically different and no clear evidence that any of the medicines prescribed would help.
Keen to help in the effort to find out more about Takotsubo, Brenda is delighted to be invited to be part of this trial looking for a treatment specifically for takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Brenda is recovering at home and is starting to ease back into work. She feels strongly that more people should be aware of takotsubo and is hopeful that this trial will open the door to a specific treatment for the condition.
It is a growing problem
Professor Dana Dawson, Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and Consultant Cardiologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, who is leading the trial, explains: “Takotsubo syndrome affects thousands of people in the UK year on year – most of whom are women. The figures are stark in that one in ten will ultimately die from their condition. It is a growing problem and with ever improving clinical recognition the diagnosis rate has increased 5-fold in the past decade.
“The long-term risk of death or serious health problems after a Takotsubo attack is similar to patients who suffer a heart attack due to a blocked heart artery but despite this, there are no proven therapies for takotsubo, no treatment guidelines, leaving doctors and patients uncertain and concerned.
There is no proven therapy
“We will test - for the first time, if RAS inhibitors could prevent deaths, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and repeated takotsubo attacks in people who suffered an acute takotsubo attack.
“We hope that this will make it clear whether or not these drugs are effective at preventing repeated health problems in the long-term.
“People living with Takotsubo syndrome are effectively in limbo at the moment. There is no proven therapy which means treatments can vary from person to person. We know that following an attack, the impact on the patient’s quality of life can be extremely debilitating.