Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) occurs without warning and can lead to serious complications, including death.
In the past, people believed SCAD was rare. Research now suggests that the issue may be
Those who develop SCAD do not typically have any risk factors for cardiac disease. They are also often younger than 50 years old and female. With treatment, most people can survive SCAD.
This article reviews what SCAD is, its symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and more.
SCAD occurs when the innermost layer of the coronary artery (the artery that supplies blood to the heart) suddenly tears without warning, allowing blood to pass into the inner chamber.
The trapped blood then bulges inward, causing a blockage. It may also extend the tear, which can lead to a heart attack due to loss of blood.
In the past, experts
Signs and symptoms of SCAD resemble those that people associate with heart attacks. However, unlike a heart attack, about
Biological females have a higher chance of experiencing SCAD, as about
SCAD
The tear allows blood to flow into a cavity, which creates an abnormal bulge. The bulge in the artery can block blood flow to the heart. Without treatment, this can lead to a heart attack.
The presentation of SCAD symptoms is similar to those of a heart attack. They
When tested, a person will also likely present with increased levels of cardiac enzymes, which indicate damage to the heart muscle (though these are not specific to SCAD).
A person who experiences these or similar symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.
Diagnosis presents a challenge to doctors because people often lack common risk factors of cardiac disease. If a doctor suspects a person may have SCAD, they may perform several diagnostic tests to check for the condition.
Testing for SCAD often includes:
- Coronary angiography: This is often the first tool used for diagnosis. It uses X-rays to look at the blood vessels in a person’s heart.
- Intracoronary imaging: This is often used when coronary angiography does not conclusively show SCAD.
There
Some other possible diagnostic tools a doctor may use include:
SCAD resembles a heart attack, but it requires a different treatment plan. Due to limited knowledge about the condition, there is
Instead, a doctor will need to assess the location of the tear as well as the person’s symptoms.
Doctors often prefer conservative therapies, such as medications, to more invasive methods, such as stent placement. However, they may recommend the following:
People may also require a heart transplantation.
According to a
Some other risk factors may include:
Without treatment, SCAD can lead to major complications. These
- blocked blood flow to the heart
- heart failure
- arrhythmia
- cardiac-related death
With prompt medical attention, a person will likely survive SCAD. However, they will often need continued monitoring due to the risk of relapse.
About
Females, particularly those who are postpartum, tend to have a worse outlook than others.
SCAD is a spontaneous, sudden break in the inner wall of the coronary artery.
When it occurs, it can cause a person to have a heart attack and can lead to death.
A person who has SCAD does not typically have the warning signs and risk factors associated with heart disease. They also tend to be younger than those who are typically most at risk of a heart attack. Females are more likely to develop SCAD than males.
With treatment, most people recover from SCAD, though they have a higher chance of developing it again than someone who has never had SCAD.
