Takotsubo

[Barryjp]

hi I was diagnosed with this in early December no previous heart problems. Two months later whilst better am still getting breathless and having to take things easy. Has anyone else had similar experiences and how long did it take to get back to normal

[Silvertail]

Although your heart returns to normal pumping quite quickly, you can feel tired and breathless for some time. It's important to rest when you feel like this. Medications can also make you feel awful until your body gets used to them. Everyone is different - there are no rules. There is a very supportive group with lots of genuine information on Facebook if you are interested. Best wishes. facebook.com/groups/1699802...

[fishonabike]

I had Takotsubo(TTS) 10 years ago and am a member of a Facebook support group for people with this condition

Many people with TTS are given little or no helpful information other than the out of date info that they will recover fully in a few weeks

Recovery after TTS can take many months, and leave you feeling confused, depressed and dismissed. So it may help you to find out more about the condition (try Takotsubo.net takotsubo.net/information/a... .

What many doctors do not realise is that in the aftermath of a TTS episode the heart muscle suffers fro inflammation which affects how effectively the heart can use oxygen and fuel to make energy used for its pumping action - so your body is not getting the blood supply it needs as quickly as it needs it - you tire easily, can get short of breath and may feel chest pain/ tiredness etc. The heart can not function effectively until the inflammation has resolved and pushing yourself is unhelpful. You just have to rest when you need to, avoid strenuous activity and wait it out. Then you can gradually increase your activity as your heart rebuilds its stamina.

You might find it helpful to join the Facebook group for more support and information

[Legoladd in reply to fishonabike]

Hi, I have asked to join the Facebook group but as I don't yet have a diagnosis of Takotsubo I don't know if I will be accepted. I don't know whether to rest as much as possible or to carry on as normal (which for me means walking the dog most days - 3-4 miles - and longer walks at weekends). Does exercise/increasing the heart rate cause further damage and prevent heart from recovering? Or is exercise good? I don't know what to do because I don't really know what has happened to me. I was told it might be/it was Takotsubo (after admission to hospital, ECGs, raised Troponin and chest X-Ray and Echocardiogram). I was told I had severe heart failure, heart not pumping properly and left side of heart only 35%. This was then not mentioned again and after an angiogram I was discharged with standard drugs for heart attack and paperwork just says MINOCA. I am waiting MRI and told it could take months.

[fishonabike in reply to Legoladd]

My suggestion would be rest as much as possible - once you join the Fb group I'm sure others will say the same - most of us were struggling to get out of bed for a while so walking dogs wasn't an option!

Check the website I referred to, the FAQ section should be helpful as well as the outline info - more cardiologists with experience in this condition are now advising rest and no strenuous activity fro 4-6 weeks at least)

[Legoladd in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you. I will check the website FAQ section re exercise as whether to exercise or not is a real concern. I haven't checked Facebook yet. I don't use it normally.

[fishonabike in reply to Legoladd]

P.S. let me know if you are not accepted as a member of Facebook group

[Legoladd in reply to fishonabike]

Many thanks. I have been accepted by the group.

[fishonabike in reply to Legoladd]

Ok, when you make your first post there mention that someone here refered you then I will make myself known