Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on the Incidence of Takotsubo Syndrome Using a Multicenter, Long-Term Regional Registry

Abstract

akotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a disorder known to be triggered by several stresses. [1][2][3][4][5] The stresses that have been associated with TTS can be primarily divided into 2 categories: physical stress or mental stress. Natural disasters can be a type of mental stress and are known to trigger the onset of TTS. 6-8 The Great East Japan earthquake (GEJ-E) disaster and massive tsunami, which occurred at 14:46 hours on March 11, 2011, was a magnitude 9.0 earthquake with an epicenter off the coast of Sanriku. The maximum seismic intensity of the earthquake was 7 in Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, and the tsunami reached up to ≥9.3 m in Soma, Miyagi Prefecture. A total of 19,630 people died, 2,569 were recorded as missing, 6,230 were injured, and 115,8976 homes were damaged on March 1, 2018. The earthquake has been reported as having a large impact on the development and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. 9-17 At first, the GEJ-E disaster was also thought to have increased the number of cases of TTS, but a short-term report from Miyagi Prefecture in 2013 indicated that there was no obvious increase. 18 Even nearly 10 years after the disaster, people are still living in temporary housing, and there are concerns that the effects of the disaster may have led to chronic stress. A previous study reported that the incidence of acute heart failure was increased for a long time after the GEJ-E disaster. 19 However, no studies have compared the incidence of TTS in coastal and inland areas and the long-term course of TTS after the GEJ-E disaster.This study aimed to investigate (1) the incidence and Editorial p ????

Takotsubo syndrome before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Austria: a retrospective cohort study (TOSCA‐19)

“…The association of TTS with physical and positive or negative emotional stress factors is very well known. 1 , 2 , 15 , 21 , 22 , 23 In addition, there are studies available observing an increase in TTS incidence after human catastrophes such as the terrorist attack in France in January 2015 9 and natural disasters such as earthquakes in Japan 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 or Christchurch 8 , 28 and floods in Queensland, 29 proving the significant role of emotional stress situations in TTS. Therefore, the emotional burden during the COVID‐19 pandemic is likely to make individuals more vulnerable to TTS.…”

Climate change and the prevention of cardiovascular disease

“…For example, major psychiatric illness and atypical antipsychotic medications are components of cardiovascular risk prediction algorithms such as the QRISK3 risk calculator [ 160 ]. Beyond the more significant burden of CVD mediated by chronic mental health conditions, a greater incidence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy has been documented in response to extreme weather events [ 161 , 162 ].…”

Earthquakes and Acute Cardiovascular Conditions: A Focus on Takotsubo Syndrome

“…TTS evolution following earthquakes is being increasingly recognized worldwide. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 The TTS incidence one month after the Mid-Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in Japan was reportedly 24 times higher than the usual incidence of this syndrome in the same region. 3 , 6 , 7 Such TTS cases were previously termed as “TTS case clusters”.…”

“… 1 , 2 Natural disasters, including earthquakes, are considered an atypical trigger of acute cardiovascular conditions, including Takotsubo’s syndrome (TTS). 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Major earthquakes might exert an unfavorable impact, particularly in the affected population. 3 Earthquake survivors are already under extreme physical and emotional stress due to a variety of factors, including the loss of family members and properties.…”

“…The incidence of acute cardiovascular diseases [including venous thromboembolism, acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, and TTS] reportedly increases following major earthquakes. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 In particular, psychological stressors might play a pivotal role in the evolution of these cardiovascular conditions. 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 However, the number of hospital admissions might not be a true reflection of the actual incidence of acute cardiovascular diseases among earthquake survivors.…”