SCAD is a rare but under-diagnosed heart condition that can’t currently be predicted or prevented. It strikes people with none or few of the known risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes etc.  

True prevalence is unknown but recent statistics indicate: 

* Up to 90% of cases occur in women 

* Between 10-30% of cases in women are in association with pregnancy or in the post-partum (after delivery) period 

* Average age of a SCAD patient is 42 years but some victims are only in their 20s 

* Men affected by SCAD tend to be particularly fit and are often keen runners, cyclists and triathletes 

* Some SCAD patients have connective tissue disorders which may be associated

Why are young, fit and healthy people having sudden heart attacks?   

Research is underway in Leicester at the Glenfield Hospital & NIHR Biomedical Research Unit to find answers to why SCAD happens and how best to treat it.   

Beat SCAD are aiming to raise £10,000 to donate to the research study to help cover some of the salary and clinical costs e.g. 

£10 could pay for some laboratory equipment 

£25 could pay for DNA extraction & biobanking for one research participant  

£100 could pay for an x-ray test of blood vessels for one research participant  

Read patient stories here: http://beatscad.org.uk/scad-stories/   

* Robyn was 27 when she had a SCAD, two weeks after delivering her third child.

* James ran road races and cross country before having a SCAD after an intense track session 

* Tracey was 38 when SCAD struck and she later received a heart transplant following complications after her SCAD 

* Charlotte has had two SCAD events, 5 years apart 

* Rachel's SCAD caused a heart attack and cardiac arrest and she suffered brain damage as a result of lack of oxygen leaving her unable to care for her 3-week old baby 

We MUST find out why SCAD happens!