What is the treatment for SCAD?
Treatment. The goal of treatment for SCAD is to restore blood flow to the heart, manage chest pain and prevent recurrence. Sometimes, this healing will occur naturally. Or doctors might have to restore blood flow by opening the artery with a balloon or stent.
How common is SCAD postpartum?
SCAD has an incidence of less than 5%, however it is found to occur related to pregnancy and post-partum [3]. We present a case of young woman in the postpartum period who presented with cardiac arrest secondary to ventricular fibrillation.
Can SCAD reoccur?
SCAD recurrence continues to be observed years after initial presentation. Fibromuscular dysplasia and migraine are associated with increased risk of recurrent SCAD.
How can SCAD be prevented?
Lifestyle changes that may prevent SCAD from recurring include:
- avoiding emotional stress.
- regular exercise, without intense weight lifting or competitive sports.
- achieving a healthy weight and diet to manage blood pressure.
- pregnancy might be discouraged because of the risk of peripartum SCAD or P-SCAD.
Is SCAD hereditary?
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic variant associated with a greater risk of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a common cause of acute MI in young and middle-age women.
What is postpartum coronary artery dissection?
Pregnancy-related spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) is a rare complication in the postpartum patient, but it is the most common cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in young females without coronary artery disease. Those suffering from P-SCAD typically present with signs and symptoms similar to ACS.
How long does it take to heal from SCAD?
In most cases, sudden coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may heal in a few weeks to months. The healing time depends on several factors, such as the extent of damage to the heart and coronary blood vessels and any underlying health conditions (such as diabetes or hypertension).
Can you lift weights after SCAD?
The advice, based on expert opinion rather than data or controlled trials, for FMD patients is the same as for SCAD patients, but those with carotid or vertebral dissections should avoid resistance training during the first three months.
Is SCAD serious?
SCAD can cause sudden death if it isn’t diagnosed and treated promptly. Seek emergency attention if you have heart attack symptoms — even if you think you aren’t at risk of a heart attack.
Can you live a long life with SCAD?
In rare cases, it may occur on multiple occasions. Subsequent dissections are more likely to occur within the first few months of the first event, with the risk reducing as time goes by. The good news is that the large majority of people who have experienced SCAD go on to live healthy lives without further problems.