United States: Toward the end of his life, Gene Hackman faced an excruciating situation because Alzheimer’s disease caused him to walk unsuccessfully through his home for one week after his wife’s unexpected death until he finally passed away.
Reports suggest that Hackman died from takotsubo syndrome, which medical professionals identify as “broken heart syndrome,” after discovering his wife Betsy Arakawa’s death from hantavirus infection.
A recent study from the Annals of Internal Medicine demonstrates that takotsubo syndrome leads to hospital admissions for dangerous illnesses, an increase of approximately 96 percent.
Understanding Takotsubo Syndrome
According to the research team led by senior investigator Dana Dawson, chair of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Aberdeen in the US, “Patients with takotsubo syndrome are particularly susceptible to hospitalization from cardiac, mental health, pulmonary, stroke, neurologic, and infective conditions,” US News reported.
The main cardiac pumping chamber develops significant functional weaknesses after someone endures severe emotional or physical stress during takotsubo syndrome.
Deadly Link: Stress & Heart Failure
The symptoms of this syndrome imitate those of heart attack, although patients do not have any detectable heart disease, according to study findings.
The analysis concludes that Arakawa perished from infection complications on February 12.
On February 12, Arakawa made an early medical consultation at Cloudberry Health but missed an appointment in the afternoon, based on ABC News reports. Hackman likely died around February 18.
Experts determined February 18 as the final date when the heart device in his body recorded any heart activity.
The authorities found the couple deceased in their home located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26 when they conducted a welfare check. Hackman remained in the indoor entry area, and Arakawa’s dead body lay in the bathroom by a space heater, US News reported.
The medical examiner determined that Hackman perished from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease contributing substantially to his death.
The research indicates that Takotsubo syndrome contributed to the death of Hackman. Due to his advanced Alzheimer’s, the authorities believe the suspect did not notify them about Arakawa’s death.
Hospitalizations reached 12,900 in people diagnosed with takotsubo syndrome based on the published study.