Chest Pain Can't Be Ignored: My SCAD Story

I never thought it could happen to me. At 42, 18 months after giving birth, I felt a sudden, gripping chest pain. I ignored it for a full weekend, convincing myself it was stress or exhaustion.

By the end of it, I knew this was not normal. For the first time in my life, I was truly scared. My thoughts went straight to my children and the reality of them growing up without me.

The diagnosis was Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) a rare but serious cause of heart attack.

SCAD occurs when a tear forms in the wall of a coronary artery, restricting blood flow to the heart. It’s not caused by cholesterol or lifestyle factors in the way most people expect.

Some key facts about SCAD:

• SCAD is more common in men than women, but in women it often occurs under the age of 50, particularly after pregnancy or hormonal changes.

  
  

• It accounts for 1–4% of all heart attacks, and up to 35% of heart attacks in women under 50.

  
  

• Many people diagnosed have no traditional heart disease risk factors.

  
  

• Symptoms are the same as a typical heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness.

  
  

What followed was not just physical recovery, but deep uncertainty. Recovery took around two years. I was under specialist care in Leicester and took medication for a year.

I had to change parts of my life, removing stress where I could and learning to listen to my body in ways I never had before.

Even now, nearly six years later, I still experience heart palpitations, and I remain very aware of how stress affects me.

One of the hardest parts was how lonely SCAD felt. It isn’t something many doctors have detailed knowledge about.

When you ask for advice, often there are no clear answers, and at times, you find yourself explaining the condition to the professionals meant to guide you.

After my SCAD, I returned to A&E with chest pain. The team had to call Leicester for advice because there was no local protocol. That uncertainty took its toll.

I spiralled into depression, largely because I had no community to tell me whether what I was feeling or experiencing was normal. I felt lost for a long time.

There were also practical losses. I could no longer obtain life insurance or critical illness cover, something that quietly but profoundly changes how you see your future.

Awareness is improving, and more research is being done. There is now a SCAD support group on Facebook, which offers connection, shared experience, and reassurance that you’re not alone.

That kind of community matters more than people realise.

I’m sharing this for one reason: chest pain should never be ignored. No matter your age, your health, or your circumstances, listen to your body. Don’t wait like I did. Seek help. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself.

It could save your life.

⚠️ SCAD Awareness

Common Symptoms:

• Sudden chest pain or pressure

• Pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw, or back

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating, nausea, or dizziness

• Heart palpitations

  
  

What to do:

• Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience chest pain.

• Let doctors know about recent pregnancy, hormonal changes, or SCAD history.

• Connect with a SCAD support community (e.g., Facebook SCAD support group) for advice and shared experience.

• Follow up with specialist cardiac care for recovery and long-term monitoring.