How Heart-Healthy People Can Suffer a Heart Attack

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can trigger a dangerous domino effect in the heart.

SCAD is caused by a small tear or a bulging hematoma within the wall of the artery.

Blood accumulates within the artery wall. As it grows, the space for blood flow narrows, which can cause a heart attack or sudden heart death.

SCAD primarily affects women.

SCAD is a completely different type of heart attack. Research is new in this area, so we are still learning the impact on patient populations around the world.

80-90% of SCAD patients are women.

10-40% of all heart attacks in women under the age of 50 are due to SCAD.*

*Percentages are estimates due to underdiagnosis of SCAD.

A second look.

If you were diagnosed with a heart attack and fit this profile, consider visiting a heart specialist with expertise in SCAD.

• Female
• Under 50
• Low risk factors for heart disease
• Recently gave birth
• Severe emotional stress before symptoms
• Engaged in extreme physical exertion before symptoms
• History of artery abnormalities (such as fibromuscular dysplasia) or connective tissue problems

MayoClinic.org; NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov