Psychological and cognitive indicators of Takotsubo syndrome

Abstract Background Takotsubo syndrome (broken-heart syndrome) is considered a cardiac disorder typically associated with exposure to severe psychological or physical stress, and it clinically resembles acute coronary syndrome. The literature indicates its association with elevated levels of anxiety and depression among patients, in addition to the potential impairment of cognitive functions. Aims This study aims to identify the differences in psychological indicators (anxiety & depression) and cognitive functions between patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and healthy Controls. Methods A case–control cross-sectional design was employed. The study sample consisted of twenty patients who were selected from the Health Insurance Hospital in Zagazig, Al-Sharqia Governorate, aged (35.8 ± 8.4) years, and twenty healthy Controls aged (36 ± 9.7) years, who were matched with the patient group in terms of demographic characteristics, including gender, age, educational level, and mental state variables. The study instruments included an initial clinical interview for data collection, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results The study revealed a significant increase in anxiety and depression levels, along with cognitive impairment in patients with TTS compared to healthy controls, manifested particularly in executive functions, memory, and attention, thereby reflecting a unique interaction between the brain and the heart in this syndrome. Conclusions The findings indicate that the psychological and cognitive indicators in patients with TTS are multifactorial in nature, involving an interplay of Cerebral Hypoperfusion, Neurohormonal alterations, and dysfunction of brain networks.