Conversation Between Cardiologist And Heart Disease Survivor Leads To Study
In October 2009, Dr. Sharonne Hayes, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic who focuses on treating women with heart disease, was approached by a woman who’d experienced a rare cardiac condition. This conversation between the two happened at the annual WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic. The woman previously had been told that her condition – spontaneous coronary artery dissection, also known as SCAD – was poorly understood, but that she was lucky because she survived. She was desperate for answers for herself and for others who suffered from SCAD. Dr. Hayes and the woman discussed the possibilities of a study. “I couldn’t not do this study, or at least try. The most powerful motivator was the patient need and my personal connection to this group of women through WomenHeart,” Dr. Hayes says. Today, almost two years later, the results of a pilot study – involving 12 SCAD survivors from four countries using social media – are published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. An accompanying editorial calls the use of social media a “novel solution” to recruit research participants, particularly for rare conditions. A larger study is now open for recruitment.
Click here to view the article.
To view the news release click here.
Journalists: The following video and audio clips are available for download and use in your post-embargo stories.
Pkg (.mov) / Nats Pkg (.mov) Intro/Script (.doc)
Dr. Sharonne Hayes – 2 Soundbites: MOV MP3 / MOV MP3 cg: Mayo Clinic Cardiologist
Dr. Marysia Tweet – 2 Soundbites: MOV MP3 / MOV MP3 cg: Mayo Clinic Cardiologist
Lee Aase – 2 Soundbites: MOV MP3 / MOV MP3 cg: Director, Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media
Animation: MOV
I am a SCAD patient. It was discovered in the cath Lab and while stents were being placed, a seperate artery disected. My doctor placed 5 stents at that time and one month later I had a double bypass because of futher disection.
i was 52 at the time of the attack and was in good health, low blood pressure, low colestrol and not overweight and was reasonabily active. There is no history of heart problems in my family.
I had a heart attack September 9, 2011. I am a 38 year old female and relatively healthy at the time of my attack. Low cholesterol and low blood pressure. It took hours before the ER finally discovered I was having a heart attack. They almost sent me home…telling me basically they didnt know what was wrong. I had two stents that night and my doctors have decided I also have SCAD.
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I am a female and at 45, I suffered a heart attack on October 10, 2011, and received two stents. When I asked the cardiologist what caused the heart attack, I was told to look it up on the internet. I went to a new doctor who believes, after watching the DVD, that my heart attack was caused from Dissection. I am so relieved to see that there are others that have found each other and are working with the MAYO Clinic on research to better understand this medical condition.
While heart disease runs in my family, I was active and relatively healthy. I have never smoked and my cholesterol was ok. Further, I had tests – including angioplasty three years ago and had no blockage. I did have a hysterectomy three years ago and am wondering if there is any correlation between SCAD and hormone replacement.
Hello, my wife is a scad survivor. This happened 6 weeks after the birth of our wonderful baby boy 4 years ago. My wife has a total of 5 stents in the rt coronary artery, also known as a full metal jacket. She was 29 at the time, and in very good shape before,during,and after the pregnancy. She and I want to have another kid, but opinions have been yes you can and no by cardiologist. That is too much of a risk to take, especially with little known facts. Can we help with the research and maybe we can find out more about childbirth after surviving scad. Thanks.
James,
we would certainly love to have your wife participate in our research and could arrange an appointment with Dr. Hayes if you are questioning second opinion. Please contact us at (507) 255-0473 or fax your contact information to (507) 284-5907.
I suffered a SCAD ( boy I don’t like the sound of that acronym
) on April 17, 2011. I was 40 years old, mother of 3, participated in exercise classes 3x per week, good blood pressure and cholesterol, and am known for my park and recreation work and healthy eating. I was on a trail hiking near home and I moved a tree on the trail and immediately after felt severe chest pain, pain in my teeth and shortness of breath. I walked back to my car, drove home and my husband took to the ER of our local hospital Pocono Medical Center. After 4 EKG’s my PA decided I needed a catherization, which showed a spontaneous dissection in a coronary artery with subsequent blockages from blood in multiple locations. My cardiologist decided that I needed an immediate triple bypass surgery. One year later I have run 4 5K races with my daughters and am exercising 3x per week, however I still can’t wear bras because of the discomfort in my chest. The wires in my sternum continue to give my discomfort and create inflammation in the ribs around the sternum, but I stretch every night and visit a PT for mayo facial massage to loosen scar tissue. I am in tears now reading all these blogs and happy to be alive and would like to participate in this study! via http://www.addtoany.com
I had a heart attack(SCAD) about a week after I had my fourth child. I was 31 and seemingly healthy. I had high blood pressure the last month or so of my pregnancy, but the doctor & his staff seemed to not think it was worrisome.
I woke up to nurse my daughter and when I laid back down it felt like there was a rabbit thumping away inside my chest. I tried everything I could think to make it stop, but then I started dry heaving and I new it was serious. Soon after I reached the ER, I went into cardiac arrest. I ended up spending 2 weeks in the hospital. I had one stent placed and had to have a pericardial window soon after.
I am interested in finding out any information I can about life after SCAD. I seem to be having trouble with my hormones, but I can’t seem to get it under control. I’d love any help you could give.
I was just released from the hospital yesterday. I was told that I experienced a heart attack due to a dissection. Spontaneous was never mentioned, but after reading other’s comments, I am convinced that I had a SCAD. I was sitting, watching tv, following a low key day when a weird chest pain came over me. I am a 49 year old, non-smoker, at a healthy weight/BMI, regular moderate exerciser, and basically healthy eater. I had never heard of this type of heart attack but reading the other experiences is surreal. I was checked out at the Fire Dept but my EKG was normal and my blood pressure was good. I declined transport to the hospital because the pain subsided while I was there. Two days later, I took a walk/short jog to “test” my endurance. The pain returned and I went to the ER. Blood tests there showed an increase in enzymes which indicated a heart attack. Cardiac MRI and heart cath showed slight damage to an artery. If you’re having pain, demand a blood test beyond the EKG and Blood pressure check.
I just found out last night on the local news Mayo has been doing a study….that’s great as I am very interested in learning more about your findings for me but more for my family.
In 2009 I suffered a STEMI due to a spiral dissection of the RCA. I happened to be working as a RN in a cardiac cath lab at the time of the MI. Eventually, 3-9mm stents were placed. During that cath and subsequent caths after this event showed that my arteries were real prone to spams as they could see this was recorded on angiograms. In Sept, 2012 I had another STEMI due to spasm of the LAD. In 2001 I had a total abd hysterctomy and have been on estrogen supp. ever since. I do have fibromyalgia (dx at Mayo)and have always had a struggle with muscle and arthritic pain. Is there any connection inflammatory/muscular issues and SCAD? I would like to be part of your study if you need more participants.
how can i be a part of this study? i cannot find the link for the form.
Thanks for contacting us, Susanna. Please contact the study coordinator, Jill Boyum – call (507) 266-3180 or fax your contact information to (507) 284-5907.