Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a devastating and extremely serious heart condition where blood vessels in the heart tear. 1 in 4 heart attacks in women aged 40-50 are caused by SCAD. Many of these women have recently given birth – just like Kristen, pictured above.
Kristen was struck down by a massive heart attack only three days after her beautiful baby girl was born. She was only 40 and had no known cardiovascular risks – it happened all so suddenly.
Not only can SCAD lead to heart attacks – in severe cases it can potentially lead to sudden death. Kristen is a lucky survivor.
It’s not known what causes SCAD. But right now researchers at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute are conducting vital research to try and find out.
At the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Australia’s home of heart research, our goal is to find out the causes of SCAD heart attacks and develop therapies to prevent and treat it. There is currently not enough medical research being done around SCAD, but with your help, we can change that.
Our research focus:
We urgently need funding to find the cause of this devastating condition so we can save more women. Please donate generously.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gadigal of the Eora nation, on which we meet, work, and discover.
Our Western Australian laboratories pay their respect to the Whadjuk Noongar who remain as the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land.
