Brenda Young, a 57-year-old social worker from Scotland, is among the first patients to test new treatments for broken heart syndrome. She felt intense chest pain after her mother's sudden death.
Doctors initially suspected a heart attack but diagnosed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition triggered by severe stress.
Brenda joined a seven-year clinical trial at the University of Aberdeen. Researchers are testing RAS inhibitors, which help relax blood vessels.
Lead researcher Professor Dana Dawson explains: "Until now, there was no approved treatment for this syndrome. For the first time, we will scientifically test whether these drugs can reduce death, heart attacks, and recurrences."
