Acute Cardiomyopathy in a Prisoner on a Hunger Strike

TL;DR

A prisoner on a hunger strike developed acute heart issues resembling a heart attack, later diagnosed as stress-induced heart disease that fully recovered.

Contribution

This case highlights acute cardiovascular risks of hunger strikes, specifically linking them to stress cardiomyopathy.

Findings

A patient on a hunger strike showed acute coronary syndrome symptoms.

Diagnosis revealed stress cardiomyopathy, not a traditional heart attack.

Subsequent imaging confirmed full recovery of heart function.

Abstract

Chronic starvation and its associated metabolic derangements are known to have dangerous cardiovascular implications in the long term, but less is known about the cardiovascular consequences of acute starvation, such as in the context of a hunger strike. This case describes a patient who presented with signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome which began two weeks into a hunger strike and was ultimately found to have stress cardiomyopathy with complete resolution on subsequent imaging.

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