HWN Suggests

SCAD: The Ultimate Heart Break

All the research done so far to understand spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has turned up only a single confirmed risk factor. Having a heart. That's it. No one can explain why SCAD strikes certain hearts.

However, researchers are beginning to see trends and possible clues.

• The majority of these hearts are young -- an average age of 42, ranging from age 19 to mid-60s.
• Mostly are females -- one-third of whom are pregnant or have recently given birth. (Only between 20 percent and 30 percent are male.)
• Regardless of gender, these hearts belong to people who are active and healthy with no evidence of coronary artery disease or risk…

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Featured

 How One Woman Changed What Doctors Know About Heart Attacks

The story of SCAD underscores how much doctors still don’t understand, including about heart disease in women.

Articles of Interest

Becky’s Heart Tore So Drastically She Needed a New One

Here is her amazing story, the tale of a young, healthy woman whose heart fell apart so drastically that she needed a new one... and got it, giving her a second chance at life and igniting a passion for helping others.

Mayo Clinic Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Research Program

The Mayo Clinic Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Research Program is part of an innovative multidisciplinary collaborative research and clinical practice initiative formed in 2010. The goal of the program is to advance the understanding of the underlying causes and risk factors for SCAD and develop solutions for optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Resources

SCAD Alliance

SCAD is a difficult diagnosis to get your heart around. We’re here to help.

SCAD Research

SCAD Research Inc. is dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds for the most promising research. The leading research is currently at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota...

SCAD Survivors

Join this group to see the discussion, post and comment.

HeartSisters

It used to be, and sadly remains in almost 70% of cases, a deadly condition often only correctly identified post-mortem during autopsy... In women, it’s usually the Left Anterior Descending coronary artery involved; in men, it’s typically the Right Main. The tear can either be ‘primary’, occurring spontaneously out of the blue, or ‘secondary’ as a consequence of undergoing coronary angiography, coronary intervention, cardiac surgery or chest trauma.

Inspire.com

WomenHeart support group and discussion community.