0 Recommendations
Anyone else with this condition, no other heart disease risk factors age 44. I am symptom free about 5 months later ( 2 heart attacks late Aug '07) . Discontinued medications except aspirin.
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
spontaneous coronary artery dissection and spasm
- By nancygrace
- Posted January 14, 2008 at 6:27 pm · 9 replies
- In Younger women with heart disease
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Heart disease Artery dissection Pain Aspirin Heart attack Stent Pregnancy Cardiomyopathy
9 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By natasha11
- Posted January 15, 2008 at 4:14 pm
- Report post
Hi nancygrace,
There's a few of us who have had the spontaneous coronary artery dissection (not sure about the spasm) - see discussion under 'My Heart Disease - Diagnosis and Symptoms', and 'SCAD-what happens next?'
Sounds like you're doing really well - that's encouraging!
All the best,
Natasha
- By amy6
- Posted January 16, 2008 at 8:59 am
- Report post
Yes, I fit your same pattern. No risk factors, 48, runner. I have that diagnosis, too, though drs have been very tentative, saying that SCAD is so very rare, they are hesitant to give this diagnosis. The more I read on this site, the more I think it's not so rare. There's a lot medical science doesn't really understand yet. More research to do.
Glad you are symptom free and going well. I am almost symptom free (heart attack Nov 06, 2 stents).
Blessings,
Amy
- By purpletopaz
- Posted January 16, 2008 at 3:36 pm
- Report post
Hi,
I had SCAD 9 days after my baby was born by CS,in jan 06. I had an Acute MI at and was rushed to hospital at first they were not sure of the cause spent the night there then off to specialist hospital i arived friday night and they want to do angio on monday. early monday morning suffered two futher MIs and was rushed for angio were they found the dissection in Left artery too big to stent and then went straight o op theatre for bypass.I never had no problems with my heart, bp or cholesterol, nothing runs in the family and was told it was down to the pregnancy hormones which weaken the veins and arteries, i was 34 at the time and quite fit.I am now on meds see cardiologist 2 times per year and still in pain, there are quite a few of us on here, Did they give you an indication of why it happened to you at all?
Nicola
- By sunshine5406
- Posted February 14, 2008 at 4:02 pm
- Report post
I also had problems 10 days after the birth of my son, I had a spasm- which resulted in 2 heart attacks, which they thought was a scad, so ended up with a triple bypass. They too blame it on pregnancy hormones because that was the only thing in my life that had changed, I am normally very healthy and have absolutely no risk factors. I was really glad to hear of some one else that said pregnancy had something to do with their problem ( though unfortunate I know) It really stinks to be in the hopsital and your baby at home and missing that time with them. That was the roughest part. That will be 2 years this March and not one episode since. I am not to get pregnant again or take birth control. So far so good, I figure I am back to myself and as long as I dont get pregnant again, I dont expect another episode to ever happen again. Good luck to you!!!!
- By Gilly
- Posted February 16, 2008 at 6:09 am
- Report post
Hello, I Had 'SCAD' a year ago, 10 days after the birth of my baby boy,I have had no history before this and was exceptionally fit 36 year old beforehand.
I had all the signs of heart problems towards the end of my pregnancy but they were ignored and put down to the pregnancy itself. Even though I had chest pains and was out of breath and had collapsed!!!!
I ended up having an emergency double bypass and that was the easy bit! For me its been the year after that has been sheer hell. Not so much physically but emotionally, I have had panic attacks and im finding it very difficult to get over. Having been told Its so rare and i'm lucky to be alive and not been able to talk to anyone with the same problem has been horrendous. So to find this website with other women like me is fantastic. I would love to chat to someone who has been through the same as me.
- By ithelivingmind78
- Posted June 2, 2009 at 11:31 am
- Report post
Hello! I had PPCM (post-partum cardiomyopathy) with my first child in '05. It resolved itself, though i was told to never have another child. I did. I experienced SCAD one week after my daughter was born in '07. I had a triple-bypass at the age of 29. Over a year later, my ejection fraction is still only at 40%. I still have shortness of breath and chest pain almost every day. My doctor feels that my heart will never regain its normal function, and i'm currently fighting for SSI disability. I am a single mother now, and fearful of what the future may bring. I'm so glad to see that there are others who have survived this.
- By spared
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 11:28 am
- Report post
Hi Gilly,
I had the SCAD on May 13th of this year. I was just wondering if the emotional trauma has gotten better for you? I am still struggling....as it is still so fresh.
- By Gilly
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 1:01 pm
- Report post
Hi, Im glad to say it does get better.
Its over two years now since it happened and I have been through hell there is no doubt. Luckly my heart has gone back to 100% function but obviously im still on all the meds for the rest of my life as a precaution.
I still get panicky if im in a crowd or if I wake up suddenly and don't know why. However these episodes are getting less and less.
The other thing was telling people what had happened, Ive only just started going out with my scar on show and slowly telling people what happened.
As ive said before, I could not have guessed it would be the emotional side of the recovery that has been the worst bit to overcome. I do not think that the rehab at the hospital side is geared in anyway towards a younger person going through something like this and certainly not a woman! I found the hospital was fantastic at the body but did not really want to help the mind! I had to do that bit myself.....
Anyway as I said things do get better, its not the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning and I can relax now and if I get a palpatation now and then, I dont freak out like I used to!!
I feel lucky to be alive most days and count each day a blessing im still here. Ive always had a positive outlook on life and believe I went through this for a reason (not sure why yet, LOL!)
Hope this helps.
Gilly
- By spared
- Posted July 5, 2009 at 6:21 pm
- Report post
Thanks for your reply Gilly! I am so glad that you are doing well. It gives me hope.
Karen
Add to the discussion