Understanding SCAD: A Rare Heart Attack Impacting Women Unequally

A woman named Robin Eaton urges others to pay attention to their instincts regarding their health.

In the fall of 2023, at age 46, Eaton experienced a rare heart event known as spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD.

"I felt severe pain in my chest, accompanied by tingling in my arms and an aching back," Eaton recounted her initial warning signs to CBS News.

Despite paramedics finding nothing abnormal in her EKG and vital signs initially, Eaton's pain intensified, prompting a visit to the hospital.

She described the alarming situation, "Suddenly, the room was swarming with medical staff."

SCAD differs from a typical heart attack, which usually results from plaque accumulation, as it involves a tear in an artery wall of the heart.

Dr. Harmony Reynolds from NYU Langone Health noted, "The wall of the artery bleeds internally, akin to a bruise, and can obstruct blood flow. This can lead to heart damage if blood supply is insufficient."

Data from the American Heart Association shows that nearly 45% of women aged 20 and above live with cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Reynolds emphasizes the importance of following Eaton's actions as a precaution.

"If you experience persistent chest pain for 10 to 15 minutes, it's vital to call emergency services," she advised.

Eaton noted she was in peak health when the incident happened, having completed a 5K run a week earlier.

Further tests revealed she had a condition that increased her susceptibility to SCAD, leading her to receive medication and undergo cardiac rehabilitation.

"Had I disregarded the severity and relied solely on the initial paramedic opinion, my family might have found an entirely different outcome," Eaton reflected.

Stephanie Stahl, an Emmy-winning health correspondent, shares more updates regularly on CBS News Philadelphia.