SCAD stands for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection. It impacts primarily healthy young women with no genetic or hereditary markers or risk factors. The medical community knows almost nothing about it (this is what the Mayo Clinic knows). After having had 9 heart attacks because of SCAD, I definitely don’t know enough but I do know some stuff.
1. When I am going to the ER, I am super specific so I have a better chance of being taken seriously. I say “I am a X year old woman with a history of heart attacks.” When I am there, to the first nurse and doctor I see, I say that the EKGs don’t always present abnormally and that we will need a troponin test.
2. Any time I go in for surgery, there is a risk of tearing. Angiograms have a risk of ripping the vessel further. Only get one if medically necessary, as a last resort.
3. I was on metoprolol for years and it did its job, it kept me quiet when nothing else probably could have. But after 7 years, I wanted to feel a bit more pep in my step and so requested a change. I did some research and am on carvedilol now. If you feel bad, ask your doctor to help make changes.
4. If you travel, it is nice to know which hospital is closest (I try to choose a place near a cardiac Cath lab close by if possible for longer trips — over 2+ weeks). And knowing how to say things in that language (just have it written down In your wallet. I was like “comment dit-on kidney stones?” in Paris which is only funny in retrospect.
I used to have the images on a thumb drive but have moved so often and have gotten so many images… I would do that if it was easier.
There is also this kind of thing which seems easy enough.
5. I use nitro when I am having chest pains that I believe could be a heart attack. I take one under my tongue (nitro is related to dynamite so do not play with it). Wait 15 minutes. You will have a migraine within 1 minute. If you feel better in your heart (your head will be a separate matter), then you are good. If after 15, you still feel the chest pains, take a second pill under the tongue. If that doesn’t work in a few minutes, head to the hospital. Or call an ambulance if you are solo. You can take up to 3 max. Make sure you tell the hospital how much you have taken because they will typically give you nitro when you go in with a history of heart attacks. You should have an RX for this and keep one at home and one in the car (if you are like me and don’t use a purse).
6. I have had no stents. They put a balloon in 2x via angiogram before I had the diagnosis. I watched the balloon go in, fill up the artery where it was smushed and ba da bing ba da boom, the walls held open without further measures. Invasive measures should be only if NECESSARY because of the tearing. Definitely, definitely doctors do not know enough and I have been on the way to the emergency cath lab more than once when me or my cardiologist have had to intervene. Cath lab is 101 for heart attacks so it can be a struggle to get doctors to do otherwise. I think you should be on Plavix for 6-12 months after a HA but then it is not necessary to continue after that. I am on Plavix now but assume I will be off at the one year mark.
7. I would also consider collagen and or pycnogenol to help protect.
Collagen: Blood runs through the human body. ... Collagen plays an important role in each blood vessel to maintain a sturdy and healthy structure. The collagen in tunica medial and externa of the blood vessels creates “strong and flexible blood vessels” that maintain elasticity and keeps good “blood flow”.
Pycnogenol (maybe not if you are on blood thinners): Pycnogenol may have benefits for heart and artery health. It seems to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the legs. Some small studies suggest it may also protect against coronary artery disease and blood clots. There's good evidence that pycnogenol helps with eye damage caused by diabetes.
Things to avoid:
Chiro for the neck
Combat / wrestling
Cocaine
Pushing it
Hard core weight work outs
Holding your breath
Taking doctors too seriously
Taking yourself too seriously
Things to do:
Find doctors that you trust and feel comfortable with
Choose green tea over coffee (when you can)
Get your heart rate both up and down — at least a short walk every day and some regular variance when and if you feel up to it
Prioritize what you care about most and what makes you feel genuinely good
Let the rest gooooooo