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