Specialties & Services

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

SCAD is caused by a sudden tear or split in the coronary artery wall, which results in blood filling within the tear and blocking blood flow in the artery.

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SCAD is caused by a sudden tear or split in the coronary artery wall, which results in blood filling within the tear and blocking blood flow in the artery.

 

Heart and arteries, shows blood flow and intimal tear.

Interesting facts about SCAD: 

  • #1 cause of heart attacks in women under 50 years of age
  • Can occur in both men and women
  • #1 cause of pregnancy-related heart attacks
  • Most individuals with SCAD are young, healthy, and active with no family history of heart disease

Medical conditions and situations which increase the risk of SCAD:

  • Abnormalities of the blood vessels such as fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)
  • Inherited connective tissue diseases such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan’s syndrome
  • Severe high blood pressure
  • Extreme physical exercise
  • Severe emotional stress 

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