February is American Heart Month.
We will’t stress sufficient how essential coronary heart well being is. Nicely, possibly stress is the flawed phrase. We will’t say it loud sufficient: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR HEART. Heart disease is the main reason for loss of life for ladies and folks assigned feminine at beginning (AFAB) within the U.S.
However typically cardiac occasions occur no matter danger components for coronary heart illness. For instance, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a situation that may trigger coronary heart assaults in folks with out heart disease and is most typical in ladies.
Right here’s extra on what it is advisable learn about danger components and coverings for SCAD and the signs of coronary heart assaults in ladies.
Read: FAQs: What Women Need to Know About Cardiovascular Disease >>
What’s SCAD?
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) occurs when there’s a sudden tear within the wall of a coronary artery. The tear causes blood to get trapped and swell inward which blocks or slows blood to the center. This lack of blood stream could cause chest ache or a coronary heart assault. And individuals who expertise SCAD as soon as are at excessive danger of getting one other tear.
What causes SCAD?
Because the identify implies, SCAD occurs with no warning. However, researchers assume there are some widespread components that will contribute to SCAD. These can embody:
- Genetics
- Irritation
- Hormone ranges
- Artery issues
Dwelling in a bodily and/or emotionally hectic surroundings may additionally enhance the chance of SCAD.
What are the chance components for SCAD?
Analysis is ongoing as to what causes SCAD, however SCAD is most typical in ladies and folks AFAB. Particularly individuals who’ve simply had a child (postpartum) and in postmenopausal folks. Most individuals who’ve a SCAD don’t have any danger components for coronary heart illness.
Some circumstances can enhance the chance for SCAD. These can embody:
- Dangerously hypertension
- Substance use issues
- Hypothyroidism
- Fibromuscular dysplasia
- Inflammatory circumstances like lupus and a number of sclerosis
What are the signs of SCAD?
The most typical symptom of SCAD is chest ache because of the lack of blood stream within the coronary heart.
Should you’re experiencing chest ache or different indicators of a coronary heart assault, name emergency providers instantly.
Your healthcare supplier will carry out checks to verify a SCAD. These checks can embody:
- Enzyme marker take a look at
- Angiogram imaging
- Intravascular ultrasound
- Optical coherence tomography
Girls and SCAD
Though SCAD can occur to anybody at any age, most individuals with SCAD are ladies of their 40s and 50s.
SCAD can also be the most typical reason for coronary heart assaults throughout being pregnant, though pregnancy-related SCAD makes up a small variety of the circumstances.
Signs of a coronary heart assault in ladies
SCAD could cause coronary heart assaults, and realizing the signs of a coronary heart assault may help save your life.
It’s essential to notice that ladies and folks AFAB can expertise indicators exterior of chest ache and may have completely different signs than males.
Symptoms of heart attacks in women can embody:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive fatigue
- Again ache within the higher again or stomach
- Ache and/or discomfort in a single or each arms
- Ache and/or discomfort within the neck or jaw
- Lightheadedness
Remedy for SCAD
Remedy for SCAD varies relying on the individual and the way critical the tear is, however most individuals with SCAD are given treatment to manage blood stress and decrease ldl cholesterol. Individuals with extreme SCAD may have bypass surgical procedure or different pressing surgical procedures on the center.
It’s essential to notice that individuals who have a SCAD are at excessive danger of getting one other incident. You possibly can’t forestall SCAD, however discuss to your healthcare supplier about methods you possibly can maintain your coronary heart and handle your danger for coronary heart illness.
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