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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is a rare 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 and sudden death.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) tends to affect people ages 30 to 50, though it can occur at any age. People who develop spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are often healthy, and many 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.
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Signs and symptoms of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) 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.
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It's not clear what causes spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) causes a superficial 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.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may slow blood flow through the artery to the heart, which makes the heart work harder. Or blood flow through the artery can be completely stopped, causing heart muscle to die (heart attack).
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At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Tests and procedures used to diagnose spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) involve creating pictures of your arteries to look for signs of abnormalities.
During a set of procedures called cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram, doctors inject a special dye into your arteries so they'll show up on imaging tests. To get the dye to your arteries, doctors insert a long, thin tube (catheter) into an artery — usually in your leg or arm — and thread the tube to the arteries in the heart.
Once the dye is released, doctors use X-rays to create pictures of the arteries. The X-rays may show abnormalities in an artery that help confirm spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
After coronary angiogram, other tools may be inserted through the catheter and into the affected artery to create pictures. These imaging tests may include:
The images may show abnormalities in an artery that help doctors confirm spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and gather information to guide treatment decisions.
During a cardiac computerized tomography (CT) angiography scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest, which can show abnormalities in your arteries. Cardiac CT angiography may be used in addition to other tests and procedures.
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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.
Doctors are studying why spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) recurs and who is most likely to experience a recurrence.
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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can be an unexpected and shocking diagnosis. The condition can cause serious and scary symptoms, and it often affects people who may have few risk factors for heart disease.
Each person finds his or her own way of coping with a diagnosis. In time you'll find what works for you. Until then, you might try to:
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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:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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