What does SCAD stand for?

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

What is SCAD?

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a little known and poorly understood type of heart attack caused when a sudden tear occurs within the layers of one or more coronary arteries. This tear partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart and causes a heart attack. SCAD may also lead to cardiac arrest and sometimes death. Unlike a “traditional” heart attack caused by blockage due to plaque buildup over a lifetime, SCAD is a completely distinct and different artery blockage. SCAD patients typically have minimal or no risk factors for atherosclerosis. SCAD can recur.

what causes scad?

The exact cause of SCAD is unknown, but it is probably a combination of factors.

Who is at risk for scad?

SCAD usually occurs in people who do not have traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Most individuals with SCAD are young, healthy and active women who have no family history of heart disease. The average age is only 42, though it can occur at any age and can also occur in men.

SCAD is the #1 cause of heart attacks among women under the age of 50 as well as the #1 cause of heart attacks in pregnant women and new mothers.

Symptoms of SCAD can include:

  • Chest pain

  • A rapid heartbeat or fluttery feeling in the chest

  • Pain in the arms, shoulders, back or jaw

  • Shortness of breath

  • Sweating

  • Unusual, extreme tiredness

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

SCAD can cause sudden death if it isn't diagnosed and treated promptly. Seek emergency attention if you have heart attack symptoms — even if you think you aren't at risk of a heart attack.

What are the symptoms of SCAD?

While the SCAD Research Program at Mayo Clinic has identified familial cases of SCAD, occurrence of SCAD in more than one family member appears to be very rare, accounting for only ~1-2% of total cases in the Mayo Clinic registry. Assuming you have no family history of connective tissue disease, e.g. Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or aortic aneurysm/dissection, the chances of a family member having SCAD are very low. Preliminary investigation into the genetics of SCAD has ruled out a common disease gene, however, ongoing research enabled by SCAD Research, Inc continues to explore the DNA sequence in search of changes that confer susceptibility to SCAD.

Do genetic factors play a role in the development of SCAD?

Where can i find out more about SCAD?

For more information about Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), please visit SCAD Research, Inc. https://www.scadresearch.org or The Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spontaneous-coronary-artery-dissection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353711

Click HERE to see an animated explanation of SCAD.