Traditional beliefs emphasize the doctrine of the mean, where excessiveness is considered undesirable. For example, being overly happy can lead to a reversal of fortune, turning a good situation into a bad one. Recently, a rare case published in a British medical journal provided insight into the proverb “happiness leads to sorrow”.
In a case study published on July 8th in the “Oxford Medical Case Reports”, a 65-year-old woman, overwhelmed with joy after attending her daughter’s wedding, experienced symptoms similar to a heart attack.
Following the wedding, the woman suffered from chest pain and difficulty breathing for three consecutive days. When she sought medical attention for the chest pain (having experienced it a few months prior), she was rushed to the emergency room, but the test results proved perplexing.
The results showed a decrease in blood flow to her heart, usually caused by a clot, but no clots were found. Instead, her left ventricle showed an unusual ballooning, weakening the heart’s function and impeding effective blood circulation throughout the body.
Though it may sound peculiar, this was actually a sign of sudden intense joy. Being too excited or elated can exert excessive pressure on the heart, altering its shape.
This peculiar condition is known as “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy” (TTS). It is a rare and often overlooked disorder with clinical manifestations similar to acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). While TTS is reversible, it is not benign and can even be fatal.
TTS is triggered by intense emotional experiences, including positive emotions like attending weddings and negative emotions like breaking up with a partner. The type induced by negative emotions is known as “broken heart syndrome”, while the type induced by positive emotions is termed “happy heart syndrome”.
Compared to “broken heart syndrome”, there is more understanding and research on this condition. Despite its reversibility, TTS is not without risks.
Among documented TTS cases, only about 4% are triggered by positive emotions. Due to the scarcity of recorded cases, it is challenging to determine whether this reflects the actual situation or stems from clinical oversights.
The earliest documented case of TTS was in 1983 by Hiroshima City Hospital in Japan. It was named after the octopus trapping pot (takotsubo) used in Japan, as the patient’s left ventricle exhibited an abnormal shape resembling this kind of pot.
The exact mechanism of TTS remains unclear, but the presentation differs between “happy heart syndrome” and “broken heart syndrome”. “Happy heart syndrome” usually causes mid or basal ventricular ballooning, while “broken heart syndrome” exhibits a different form.
Symptoms of “happy heart syndrome” may be milder. Due to its mild symptoms, this disease is sometimes overlooked, despite its potentially life-threatening consequences.
In the case report published in the “Oxford Medical Case Reports”, the 65-year-old woman thankfully fully recovered her heart function and continues to lead a healthy life.
The report’s author expressed hope that she “looks forward to witnessing other joyous milestones in her children’s lives in the years to come”.
Researchers at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland had previously analyzed cases of 1,750 patients worldwide with “broken heart syndrome”.
Jelena Ghadri, a cardiologist at the hospital, stated that both happy and sad events in life may have similar emotional effects, leading to heart disease symptoms such as chest pain and breathing difficulties.
Around the world, cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, are a leading cause of death. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 17.9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases each year.