Self-rated stress and experience in patients with Takotsubo syndrome: a mixed methods study.
Runa Sundelin, Chatarina Bergsten, Per Tornvall and 1 others
PMID 32491953WHAT IT FOUND
Takotsubo patients reported high stress at onset that dropped by 6 months, yet many still scored above the threshold for increased stress at 12 months.
Interviews revealed long-term life stressors and a feeling of powerlessness that persisted despite the cardiac event resolving.
Key findings
01Median stress scores dropped significantly from baseline to 6 and 12 months, but more than one-third of patients still scored above the cut-off for increased stress at 12 months.
02Qualitative interviews identified a theme of 'drained resources resulting in lack of balance', driven by long-term powerlessness, suppressed emotions, and high demands for competence.
03Patients reported increased vulnerability and stress sensitivity after the Takotsubo event, including sleep disorders, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, which limited their ability to cope with daily stressors.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (20 patients), limiting generalisability. The PSS-14 measures stress over the past month, which may not accurately reflect the acute onset period. Recall bias is possible as interviews occurred 6 months after the event. The study did not include a control group for comparison.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a drop in PSS-14 scores means the patient's stress issues are resolved. More than one-third of patients still scored above the clinical cut-off for high stress at 12 months, and qualitative data showed persistent feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability.