Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare and poorly understood cause of acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death. A spontaneous tear inside one of the layers of a coronary artery creates a flap, or subsequent clot, that blocks blood flow to the heart muscle.
Cardiologists typically have never seen a SCAD, but may remember the term from medical school. Twice online, I’ve communicated with women who’ve been discharged from the hospital after a heart attack with no clear diagnosis. After they’ve returned to their cardiologist and suggested the possibility of SCAD, a review of their angiogram does indeed confirm a dissection. I firmly believe the SCAD diagnosis is missed on a regular basis. SCAD just is not “on the radar” of cardiologists in our ERs.
SCAD was first documented in 1931. The following key points summarize what we know about SCAD today:
- The vast majority of cases occur in people with no known risk factors or underlying conditions.
- SCAD is more than twice as common in women than in men.
- SCAD causes heart attacks and can result in life threatening arrhythmias and sudden death.
- Pregnancy is a risk factor for SCAD; 30 percent of SCAD cases in women occur near the time of delivery.
- Seventy percent of SCAD cases occur in people under age 50.
- The average age when SCAD occurs is 42, but it has been documented in a 19-year-old.
- SCAD is an emergency and requires urgent treatment.
- SCAD can recur; up to 10 percent of patients experience two or more events.
With true research underway at Mayo Clinic, now the challenge is finding more SCAD survivors to participate in the virtual registry and DNA biobank. As you encounter stories of unexplained heart attack, please remember spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Your awareness may lead to answers for someone else.
Diagnosed with SCAD May 2012 things were
Really complicated.. Lets just say I am lucky
To be alive. But I gave been feeling a burning
Sensation around the heart first it would come and go now its a constant burn. Should I be CONCERNED?!
Hi Sylvia,
I’m so sorry to hear of your complications. SCAD is bad enough just in itself!! There are many causes of heart pain that may not be SCAD related, but depending on your degree of muscle damage and treatment plan, it’s possible to still have pain.
Are you comfortable with your cardiologist? If you are able to go to Mayo Clinic and see Dr. Sharonne Hayes for a second opinion, that would be the absolute best.
If you are on facebook, please put in a request to join our survivors group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/SCADsupport/
If you aren’t on facebook, go to http://www.inspire.com/groups/womenheart for another online SCAD support community.
Hope to see you in one of the forums,
Best,
Katherine