Broken Heart Syndrome

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, or 'broken heart syndrome', is a condition where the heart suddenly changes shape and is weakened. The syndrome’s association with a broken heart is because it often appears to be triggered by emotionally or physically stressful events, with women who have heard distressing news being particularly vulnerable. Its name, 'Takotsubo', originated because when the syndrome was first observed in Japan in 1990, the left ventricle (as shown in picture A) resembled the shape of Japanese Octopus pots, which are called ‘takotsubos’ (as shown in picture B). Whilst there is a long history of the heart being seen as vulnerable, the details of this syndrome are still emerging. This Cabinet, placed in the Postgraduate Private Study area, shows an ongoing development in the history of heartbreak in modernity.