Is stress one of the causes of cardiomyopathy?I was watching CSI:NY the other day and wanted to find out!?

something to keep in mind is that less than 1% of all cardiomyopathies are caused by stress -- emotional stress. there is a CM called takutsobu CM that is marked by a weakening of the heart wall. that is rather rare. now, about CSI ... im sure its a great show and all, but you have to take anything they say with a grain of salt. ive seen the show purport a lot of myths and create a lot of myths.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as transient apical ballooning, stress-induced cardiomyopathy and simply stress cardiomyopathy, is a type of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in which there is a sudden temporary weakening of the myocardium (the muscle of the heart). Because this weakening can be triggered by emotional stress, such as the death of a loved one, the condition is also known as broken heart syndrome].

The typical presentation of someone with takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a sudden onset of congestive heart failure or chest pain associated with EKG changes suggestive of an anterior wall heart attack. During the course of evaluation of the patient, a bulging out of the left ventricular apex with a hypercontractile base of the left ventricle is often noted. It is the hallmark bulging out of the apex of the heart with preserved function of the base that earned the syndrome its name "tako tsubo", or octopus trap in Japan, where it was first described. The etiology (cause) appears to involve high circulating levels of catecholamines (ie, adrenaline). Evaluation of individuals with takotsubo cardiomyopathy typically include a coronary angiogram, which will not reveal any significant blockages that would cause the left ventricular dysfunction. Provided that the individual survives their initial presentation, the left ventricular function improves within 2 months. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is more commonly seen in post-menopausal women. Often there is a history of a recent severe emotional or physical stress