A 75-year-old woman who is at the bedside of her critically ill husband in the emergency department reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. She has no prior medical history. ECG shows ST elevations in precordial leads without reciprocal depressions. Laboratory data is notable for high levels of circulating catecholamines, elevated brain natriuretic peptide, and a minor increase in troponin. Transthoracic echocardiogram shows severe apical ventricular dysfunction in several vascular territories. Which of the following statements is true regarding her underlying condition?