All patients with SCAD should be evaluated for underlying causes as outlined above, ideally under the care of a physician specializing in arterial diseases. Ongoing research is focused on determining if and when SCAD may recur as well as prevention strategies.

Visit our Make an Appointment page for more information or call 888-287-1082. 

Symptoms of SCAD include:

• Nausea, lightheadedness and sweating
• Pain in one or both arms, neck, back or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue

Early and proper diagnosis of SCAD is critical to saving lives. Of crucial importance is seeking urgent medical attention with concerning symptoms such as chest, back, neck or arm pain. While heart attacks are diagnosed through blood work and an electrocardiogram, SCAD may be diagnosed with an angiogram, referred to as cardiac catherization when done invasively, or by specialized CT scans, which are performed with IV dye injections. These X-ray tests use the dye and a camera to view blood flow in the coronary arteries. Often, SCAD isn’t diagnosed until doctors look for artery defects following a heart attack.

While traditional heart attack patients are often treated with stents to open blocked arteries, stents should only be used in SCAD patients who have ongoing clinical symptoms. Patients are typically put on a daily aspirin and anti-platelet regimen to reduce the risk of blood clots and are closely observed for complications. The artery generally heals on its own. Patients are typically advised to participate in a heart rehabilitation program.

The University of Michigan Arterial Dysplasia Research Study is studying genetic and other factors underlying SCAD and related disorders. The Virtual Multicenter Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Registry was created to increase awareness, understanding and treatment and prevention of SCAD. The Genetic Investigations in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is creating a biobank of blood samples from patients with SCAD and their biological parents to potentially see whether genetic factors play a role in the development of this disease. To learn more about SCAD, check out the recently published Scientific Statement about SCAD and SCAD Patient Page from the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.