“Broken heart syndrome” can look just like a heart attack. This test can tell them apart

Takotsubo syndrome, also known as 'broken heart syndrome', can closely mimic a heart attack. This condition most often affects postmenopausal women and can be triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. During the initial evaluation stages, it can be extremely difficult to differentiate between this syndrome and a heart attack, leading many patients to undergo invasive cardiac catheterization.

An international team of researchers from the University of Zurich and the University of Greifswald has developed the BioTAK score, a diagnostic tool designed to identify Takotsubo syndrome before cardiac catheterization is performed. This score combines biological sex with several blood biomarkers linked to various processes in the cardiovascular system. In a validation study involving nearly 1,800 patients, the BioTAK score accurately identified Takotsubo syndrome with nearly 90% accuracy.

The BioTAK score offers a simple yet effective way to identify patients with Takotsubo syndrome, providing insights into the biological processes that distinguish it from a classic heart attack. While it cannot replace cardiac catheterization when necessary, it could help reduce unnecessary invasive tests and improve the early assessment of patients suspected of acute coronary syndrome.