Self-reported symptoms 8 weeks after discharge: A comparison of takotsubo syndrome and myocardial infarction

•Patients with takotsubo syndrome experience symptoms after discharge.•Symptoms are similar to those of patients with myocardial infarction.•Symptom may be influenced by uncertainty.•Symptom management should be part of follow-up care.•Person-centered care may be used to integrate self-reported symptoms in care.

BackgroundTakotsubo syndrome is a form of acute, reversible heart failure that has gained increasing attention. It affects mostly postmenopausal women, and its acute onset and symptoms mimic acute myocardial infarction. The distinct feature of takotsubo syndrome is the ballooning of a ventricle, but the complete pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Both short-term and long-term survival are affected, but little is known about the illness experience and self-reported residual symptoms after discharge from hospital.AimTo measure and compare self-reported residual symptoms between patients with takotsubo syndrome and those with acute myocardial infarction.MethodQuestionnaire data measuring self-reported symptoms were collected from 48 patients with takotsubo syndrome and 79 patients with acute myocardial infarction 8 weeks after discharge. A multivariate adjusted complete case regression model was used to compare the frequency and severity of symptoms.ResultsSelf-reported symptoms 8 weeks after discharge differed little between patients with takotsubo syndrome and those with acute myocardial infarction. Both groups reported symptoms, including pain, fatigue, breathlessness, and sleep disturbance. At onset there were significant differences between the groups concerning previous diabetes mellitus, cardiac troponin T, ejection fraction and Killip class. There were no significant between-group differences in frequency or severity of symptoms after adjusting for these differences.ConclusionPatients with takotsubo syndrome experience residual symptoms after discharge. Symptoms in several cardiovascular diseases predict quality of life, re-admission, and mortality. Symptom management should be integrated into follow-up care for patients with takotsubo syndrome. One way of achieving this is through person-centered care.