Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) occurs when a layer within an artery tears, causing hematoma or a flap of artery tissue that blocks blood flow. SCAD causes acute coronary syndrome, heart attack, and sudden cardiac arrest. SCAD is the top cause of heart attack related to pregnancy and responsible for 40% of heart attack in women under 50. We will discuss clinical presentations and emergency management, as well as epidemiology, pathophysiology, and long-term considerations.

Rebecca Freeman is a Physician Assistant in Pediatrics. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Master of Science in Health Sciences Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health. Rebecca experienced her first heart attack just before her 21st birthday. As a healthy, active college student, and without an apparent cause, no diagnosis was established and the event was essentially chalked up to bad luck. Eight years later, she had a second heart attack – that time resulting in cardiac arrest. Thanks to incredible friends who quickly performed CPR and a great emergency care team, she survived and began both a road to recovery and diagnostic odyssey. Almost two years later she met the doctors who could piece together her medical history, discovering SCAD as the cause of her two heart attacks. Today, she is doing well medically, active with her two young children and husband, practices medicine, and is a board member of SCAD Alliance.