Exercise and therapy can mend a broken heart, study suggests

"Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are living with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, known as broken heart syndrome, which causes the heart muscle to change shape and suddenly weaken. It is usually triggered by severe emotional or physical stress, such as losing a loved one. Patients may experience symptoms similar to a heart attack and face twice the risk of dying early compared with the general population."

"Some experience heart failure, resulting in debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, as well as a shorter life expectancy. There is no cure. But now, doctors may have the answer. The world's first randomised controlled trial for broken heart syndrome has found that 12 weeks of tailored cognitive behavioural therapy, or a heart recovery exercise programme involving swimming, cycling and aerobics, helped patients' hearts recover."

"In takotsubo syndrome, there are serious effects on the heart, which may not return to normal. We know that patients can be affected for the rest of their lives and that their long-term heart health is similar to people who have survived a heart attack. The trial data highlighted the importance of the brain-heart axis, Gamble said. It shows that cognitive behavioural therapy or exercise could help patients along the road to recovery."

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, causes sudden weakening and shape change of the heart muscle, often after severe emotional or physical stress such as bereavement. Symptoms can mimic a heart attack and patients face about double the risk of early death, with some developing heart failure, fatigue, and reduced life expectancy. A world-first randomised controlled trial enrolled 76 patients (91% women, average age 66) and randomly assigned them to 12 weeks of cognitive behavioural therapy, a heart-recovery exercise programme, or standard care. Results indicate both CBT and exercise aided heart recovery and highlight the brain–heart axis and cost-effective rehabilitation options.

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