What is a spontaneous aortic dissection?

What is a spontaneous aortic dissection?

Overview. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is an emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in a blood vessel in the heart. SCAD can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, heart rhythm problems (arrythmias) or sudden death.

What are the signs of coronary artery dissection?

Warning signs may include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, profuse sweating and dizziness. “Around 80 percent of the time, we see this disease in fairly young, healthy and active patients,” Dr. Magliato said. “Seek immediate treatment if you think you’re having a heart attack. ”

Can you have SCAD and not know it?

SCAD patients often have no warning signs and no risk factors for heart disease. “She had a long stay in the cardiac intensive care unit where it wasn’t initially clear whether she would fully recover,” says Michigan Medicine interventional cardiologist Brahmajee Nallamothu, M.D.

How do I know if I have SCAD?

But SCAD can only be diagnosed with an angiogram, an X-ray test using special dye and a camera to take pictures of blood flow in the coronary arteries. Symptoms of SCAD include: Chest pain or discomfort. Shortness of breath.

What causes Scadheart?

The causes of SCAD are unclear. SCAD mainly affects young, healthy people who have few or none of the typical risks for heart disease, such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol or obesity. Common factors and potential triggers for SCAD include: Being female – SCAD tends to affect more women than men.

Can you live a normal life after SCAD?

SCAD can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, or cardiac arrest. If SCAD is diagnosed quickly and treated properly, most people will have a full recovery. Patients will need regular follow-up appointments with their cardiologist to monitor their condition.

Is SCAD hereditary?

The genetic factor, located on chromosome 6, increases the risk of developing spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). This type of heart attack almost exclusively affects young to middle-aged women, including in some patients around the time of pregnancy.

Is SCAD caused by stress?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has emerged as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. The triggers for SCAD often do not include traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. The most commonly reported triggers are extreme physical or emotional stress.

Can you live a long life with SCAD?

In rare cases, it may occur on multiple occasions. Subsequent dissections are more likely to occur within the first few months of the first event, with the risk reducing as time goes by. The good news is that the large majority of people who have experienced SCAD go on to live healthy lives without further problems.

How long does it take to recover from SCAD?

In most cases, sudden coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may heal in a few weeks to months. The healing time depends on several factors, such as the extent of damage to the heart and coronary blood vessels and any underlying health conditions (such as diabetes or hypertension).

Why does my neck hurt by my artery?

Carotidynia is a pain that you feel in your neck or face. It is linked with physical changes that can happen in a carotid artery in your neck. Your neck may feel tender in the area of the artery. The pain often goes up the neck to the jaw, ear, or forehead.

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