Key result
Takotsubo syndrome peaks in the afternoon, early week, and August to October, contrasting MI timing.
Why the study?
Emerging evidence suggests circadian, weekly, and seasonal variations in Takotsubo syndrome incidence, prompting examination of daily, weekly, and seasonal distribution patterns.
Takotsubo syndrome exhibits distinct temporal patterns, peaking in the afternoon, early in the workweek, and during late summer to early autumn, which contrasts with the typical morning peak of myocardial infarction.
TTS temporal patterns warrant no practice change; leaves open distinct triggers versus MI for prospective study.
Background Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is an acute, reversible cardiac condition that often mimics myocardial infarction. It is frequently associated with stressors, and emerging evidence suggests circadian, weekly, and seasonal variations in its incidence. This study aimed to examine the temporal patterns in the incidence of TTS, focusing on daily, weekly, and seasonal distributions, and to explore potential biological and environmental influences on its onset. Methods This retrospective analysis examined the temporal distribution of TTS cases from a large, multi-center registry collected between January 2015 and December 2022. Data were analyzed for daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal incidence patterns. Chi-square tests were used to assess the significance of observed temporal trends. Results TTS incidence peaked in the afternoon and was significantly lower during the evening in contrast to MI incidence that peaked in the morning. There was a marked increase in cases from Monday to Wednesday, with a gradual decline toward the weekend. Seasonally, a significant rise in TTS cases was observed during late summer and early autumn, particularly between August and October. Conclusion The findings suggest that TTS incidence is influenced by both circadian rhythms and external stressors, such as work routines and seasonal factors. Awareness of these patterns can aid in early identification and preventive strategies in at-risk populations.
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Gudmundsson et al. (2025) studied this question. Takotsubo Syndrome incidence peaks in the afternoon, is highest Monday-Wednesday, and rises seasonally from August to October, contrasting MI timing.
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