Healing Broken Hearts: How Therapy and Exercise Boost Recove

Takotsubo syndrome, often called broken heart syndrome, usually strikes after a stressful or emotional event, leaving patients with sudden heart problems. A new study sheds light on how two very different approaches—exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—can help patients recover both physically and emotionally.

Who Took Part in the Study?

The trial included 76 patients, the majority of whom were women (91%), with an average age of 66 years. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups:

CBT sessions

Exercise programme

Standard medical care

All patients continued with their cardiologist’s recommended treatments alongside the study interventions.

What Did the Treatments Involve?

CBT Group: Patients received 12 one-to-one weekly sessions, specifically adapted for their condition. They also had access to daily support if needed.

Exercise Group: Participants joined a 12-week exercise course involving cycling, treadmill walking, aerobics, and swimming. The sessions gradually increased in intensity and frequency.

Measuring Heart Energy

Researchers used a special imaging technique called 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to track how the heart produced, stored, and used energy.

The results were striking: both the CBT and exercise groups showed a significant increase in the energy available to the heart, a change not observed in the standard care group.

Improvements in Fitness and Strength

Patients in the CBT group increased their six-minute walking distance from 402 metres to 458 metres.

The exercise group made even greater strides, walking 528 metres compared to 457 metres at the start.

Both groups also saw improvements in their VO₂ max (the body’s peak oxygen consumption):

15% increase for CBT patients

18% increase for exercise patients

These gains are clear indicators of better overall health and stamina.Why This Matters

The findings suggest that CBT and structured exercise don’t just support mental wellbeing—they can improve heart function and fitness levels, offering long-term benefits like fewer symptoms and possibly even reducing the risk of death in people with broken heart syndrome.

Expert Insights

Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, Clinical Director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the trial, highlighted the importance of the Result:Whether it’s through mind therapy or movement, healing a broken heart may involve more than medicine alone.