Margaret’s story

I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m on a new path. I’m excited to see where it goes

My SCAD happened in May 2018 after I fell down an embankment in the Lake District, badly dislocating my elbow. The next morning I collapsed as an artery in my heart burst open. My husband, Stewart, is a police officer and called 999.

The paramedics promptly took me to Royal Lancaster Infirmary. When I got there I was told I had suffered a heart attack. I was taken straight to the operating theatre at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The surgeon there told me about Dr Wood at a hospital in Leicester who was researching SCADS. The doctors also contacted my local hospital in Scotland and arranged for the cardiac rehab team to help me.

No one knows for certain what causes a SCAD. There are no symptoms and no cure. If you have a heart attack, medics will help your recovery by working towards things like lowering your blood pressure or addressing cholesterol problems, but there is nothing for women like me.

I have spent the last year fighting for my health. I went through a journey of learning how to live with a condition that most doctors don’t know about. I spent 10 days in the coronary care unit and then travelled home. Any time I felt a pain I wondered: “Should I go to A&E?” but I didn’t want anyone to worry. I suffered from a lot of medical issues and my selfesteem took a big hit. I still sometimes get spasms, which feels like cramp in your heart. My hair also fell out, my skin felt paper thin and my nails kept breaking.

However, I count myself lucky as many women don’t survive a SCAD.

I got referred to a cardiac rehab quickly as the hospital in England called ahead, however for others there can be a 12-month waiting period. Shockingly there are no specialist SCAD clinics in Scotland. From my first appointment, I really benefited and I want this to be the case for everyone.

Rehab helped me get my confidence back and allowed me to talk freely when I had a bad day. The nurses soon got me dancing again to my favourite bands – Bon Jovi and Ocean Colour Scene. For me, finding the BEATSCAD community was a real turning point. I’ve met up with 15 other Scottish women who have survived a SCAD. It wasn’t just about the practical advice, it was the sense of not being alone in this anymore.

It is important that all doctors are trained on how to spot a SCAD. The quicker we are treated, the quicker we can protect our hearts. In fact, research suggests 50% of all cardiac events in childbirths are SCADS yet we are not all eligible for cardiac rehab.

The closest theory that healthcare experts have to why it happens is called “a perfect storm”. Female hormones are potentially involved, extreme pain can be linked and/or a life changing event could cause it, but we’re just guessing. However, we try not to live in fear. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m now on a different path with new people, priorities and experiences and I’m so excited to see where it goes.

I didn’t die, I’m still here to live life.

This article appeared in No.1 Magazine