Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is also known as Broken Heart Syndrome, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Stress cardiomyopathy and Apical ballooning syndrome. It's a temporary heart condition linked to stress - which can be physical, emotional or induced by illness or medical procedures.

It's thought to account of around 2% of patients who present at emergency departments in hospitals and who are under the impression that they are having a 'heart attack'. It causes chest pains and shortness of breath.

The symptoms are treatable, and the condition usually reverses itself in days or weeks, with or without medication.

The exact cause of broken heart syndrome is unclear. It's thought that a surge of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, might temporarily damage the hearts of some people. How these hormones might hurt the heart or whether something else is responsible isn't completely clear."

Source : Mayo Clinic, US