Step by Step through Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) published

The Irish Heart Foundation is delighted to announce the publication of a new patient information booklet on Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a life-threatening heart condition.

SCAD is an uncommon emergency condition in which a ‘tear’ happens within the layers of the wall of the artery. This leads to blood becoming trapped within the artery, forming a clot, and causing a partial or complete blockage. This can lead to a possible heart attack, an abnormal heart rhythm or even sudden death, if not treated promptly.

Step by Step through Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) was written by Shirley Ingram, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin with assistance from Pauline O’Shea and Yvonne Bell. It was edited by Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation and includes contributions from people affected by SCAD. Some content in the booklet is used with kind permission from Beat SCAD UK.

Unlike coronary heart disease, SCAD doesn’t seem to be preventable, and it happens out of the blue. Most people with SCAD are otherwise healthy and might not have any factors that usually increase the risk of heart disease. Most people with SCAD are female (87% to 95%). The average age of people with SCAD is between 44 and 53 years. Males with SCAD tend to be slightly younger than females, and 10 per cent of people with SCAD are nearing the end of a pregnancy or have recently given birth.

The new SCAD booklet contains a wealth of information on the condition and includes information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and life after SCAD.

The booklet was kindly funded by donations from people affected by SCAD and by sponsorship from Lloyds Pharmacy.

You can download Step by Step Through Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection here