Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is an uncommon emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in one of the blood vessels in the heart.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, abnormalities in heart rhythm or sudden death.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) most commonly affects women in their 40s and 50s, though it can occur at any age or in men. People who develop spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are often healthy. Most don’t have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can lead to sudden death if it isn’t diagnosed and treated promptly. For this reason, seek emergency attention if you experience heart attack signs and symptoms — even if you think you aren’t at risk for a heart attack.
Signs and symptoms of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are the same as symptoms of other types of heart attacks and may include:
If you experience chest pain or suspect you’re having a heart attack, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. If you don’t have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort.
In spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a tear forms in an artery in the heart. This can cause blood to pool in the area between the layers. Blood trapped between the layers can form a blood clot (hematoma). SCAD can reduce or block blood flow through the artery, which can cause a heart attack. However, a heart attack in SCAD is different from a heart attack caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), shown in the bottom image.
It’s not clear what causes spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) causes a tear inside an artery. When the inner layers of the artery separate from the outer layers, blood can pool in the area between the layers. The pressure of the pooling blood can make a short tear much longer. And blood trapped between the layers can form a blood clot (hematoma).
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may slow blood flow through the artery to the heart, which makes the heart muscle weaken. Or blood flow through the artery can be completely stopped, causing heart muscle to die (heart attack). A heart attack that occurs in SCAD is different from a heart attack caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Doctors and researchers have found some similarities among people who have experienced spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). It’s not yet clear what role these factors play in causing the disease. Common factors include:
Underlying blood vessel conditions. Some underlying blood vessel abnormalities have been associated with SCAD, most commonly a condition called fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), which causes the irregular growth of cells in the walls of one or more of your arteries. This irregular growth can weaken the artery walls, leading to blockages, dissections or aneurysms.
Fibromuscular dysplasia can also cause high blood pressure, a stroke and tears in other blood vessels. Fibromuscular dysplasia occurs more often in women than it does in men.
In some people, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can occur again, despite successful treatment. It may recur soon after the initial spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) or years later. People who have spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may also have a higher risk of other heart problems, such as heart failure.
Doctors are studying why spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) recurs and who is most likely to experience a recurrence.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) care at Mayo Clinic
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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
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