The condition can cause neck, arm or chest pain, lightheadedness and nausea
People are being warned about a condition known as SCAD. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection occurs when one or more layers of a coronary artery tear away from the outer layer. This lets blood flow between the layers and causes clots which can lead to a heart attack if it becomes big enough to blook the blood supply to the heart.
This rare heart condition is a mystery to medical professionals as they aren’t sure what causes it and it usually happens without warning in people who have no traditional risk factors for heart disease. It most commonly affects women between 45 and 53 but it can happen to anyone.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) urged: “It’s important to get checked out if you get any SCAD symptoms, so it can be diagnosed as early as possible.” The BHF says “the condition can’t currently be predicted or prevented.”
Symptoms of SCAD can seem similar to the indicators of an angina or heart attack. SCAD symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Tightness or pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling tired or out of breath
- Nausea
- Feeling sweaty or clammy
The BHF urged anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms or chest pain to call 999 immediately. People who experience symptoms of SCAD may ignore them believeing they aren’t at risk of a heart attack. The condition isn’t predictable or preventable according to the BHF.
Around 80% of people with SCAD are women and it often occurs during or soon after pregnancy. Because of its unpredictable nature, SCAD is usually only diagnosed after a different medical event such as a heart attack.
It can be treated with medication to prevent blood clots, stents to keep the affected artery open or coronary artery bypass surgery to restore blood flow but this is rare. The BHF noted: “A SCAD diagnosis can be frightening, especially if you’ve found out about it after an emergency. Many SCAD patients experience feelings of isolation due to the rarity of the condition.
“It’s important to talk about these feelings, either to a trusted loved one, your GP, a cardiac rehab nurse, a clinical psychologist or counsellor. If you feel more comfortable seeking help online, there are lots of services that can help.”
