At 37 years old, I’ve survived four SCAD heart attacks, am I going to have another? After suffering my fourth SCAD heart attack in July 2026 I thought it was finally time to speak up and tell my story to spread more awareness and advocate for women’s health specifically SCAD.

For the past two years I’ve been on a massive health journey. I’ve lost weight, changed how I eat, started running recently running 10km non-stop and going to the gym four times a week. I genuinely felt the healthiest and strongest I’ve been in a very long time.

I was diagnosed with SCAD at the age of 49.  I had been for a walk that morning as Im normally on alternate walk/run days followed by half hour weight training. 

Allison was 42 years old, fit, active, and living a healthy lifestyle, she says "A heart attack was the last thing on my mind"

As a healthy 38yo with good blood pressure, good cholesterol, good blood sugars, not once did I think I was having a heart attack.

When Jenny looks back on the weeks leading up to her SCAD heart attack, there are many small signs she now recognises yet didn’t fully understand at the time.

Stephanie was a healthy 57 year old with no underlying health issues when she had a SCAD heart attack. SCAD is a leading cause of heart attack in women.

David had received a full heart check-up and was given the all clear (managing small levels of plaque) when he had a SCAD heart attack aged just 52.

Jane was 56 and at her very fittest when she had a SCAD heart attack. Jane is a registered nurse & her husband is a doctor. Neither of them had heard of SCAD.

Cate had just had her 3rd child when she suffered a coronary artery dissection.  Initially dismissed as a problem with feeding, Cate had a triple heart by-pass.  

Suzanne was a healthy, active 54 year old Mum when she had a SCAD heart attack while walking to work. Suzanne had no known risk factors for heart disease or heart attack. It was terrifying.

2 days before her 41st birthday, healthy Mum Belinda had a SCAD heart attack

For Maree this is her 20th year of living with the reality and yet the constant uncertainty of SCAD. In that time she has had 3 heart attacks caused by SCAD.

Mel was 39 & healthy when she had a SCAD Heart Attack "I didn’t think for a minute it was the first stages of a heart attack, then 2 days later I was having a shower getting ready for work when I felt this pain in the middle of my back,  I knew something was wrong"

Sondra was healthy and fit when she had a sudden heart attack caused by Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

With no heart disease and an extremely healthy pescatarian, Janice was 68 year when she had a SCAD while playing social tennis.

A fit and healthy 47 year old with 4 beautiful children, Nadene had just finished working out at the gym when she had a SCAD Heart Attack.

Dani was just 35 and working in the hospital as a nurse when she suffered a SCAD Heart Attack out of the blue.

Yolande was a healthy 54 year old woman from the Sunshine Coast when she had a SCAD Heart Attack and went into Cardiac Arrest.

Alison was playing 18 rounds of golf when she had a SCAD Heart Attack and went into Cardiac Arrest on the golf course. Here she shares her story

Kate’s Story "It began with a headache which I'd had all week. During this week my daughter had her 16th birthday party, then preparations for her formal and my husband was away. I

"On Saturday morning 2nd June I dropped my brother's kids to soccer and went home and started vacuuming at 9am. At about 9.20am all of a sudden I had what felt like pressure in my whole chest and left arm.

My name is Shayne and I am a stay at home Mum to 3 kids.  In 2019 at the age of 47 I suffered a SCAD heart attack. I was out with my children (then

"Oct 2019 (51 year old female) and I'm training for a half ironman as part of a relay. I'm going to swim 1.9km and ride 90km. Training is going well, saying to my friends that I'm feeling like I have a balanced training program, not fatigued in the least...

Sheree's Story Our Lives Changed in an instant! Grab every experience and enjoy the adventure. On Wednesday 17 April, 2019 our lives changed in an instant and everyday since has been a challenge and a

Kara was sitting on the couch having a cuppa with a friend one week after giving birth to her daughter when she had a SCAD Heart Attack

I didn't have a clue I was having a heart attack!!! On the 6th October 2019 I was doing a HIIT workout and as I lifted the weight above my head I felt like I had a stitch in my heart, I felt sick and light headed but after a few moments it passed. So I just thought it had something to do with drinking a coffee prior to exercise as I don't normally do this.

"My first SCAD happened late October 2019 while walking my dog... Then on November 4 2019 I had my second SCAD which caused such severe pain - we called the ambulance and was told by paramedics I was having a heart attack...

Alex's Story “I am a 36 year old male. I work in medical research and as a mental-health professional. Health wise, I am overweight, but otherwise quite healthy. I exercise regularly, and my

"I was a fit and healthy 48 year old; with a 15 year old son and a 10 year old daughter. Working as an Accountant I’d recently started a new job where I’d encountered issues which were causing me severe emotional stress... I had no idea I was a candidate for Heart Attack"

On Wednesday 26 August 2020 I suffered 2 x heart attacks from SCAD. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that day. It was life changing. I picked up my son from school and chatted to friends. Once home I was working at my desk and I got a very intense heaviness in the middle of my chest...

I am a fit, healthy 33 year old and never in a million years thought I was having a heart attack! So grateful for our amazing health care system and that I’m still here to live life to its fullest and watch my beautiful Elsie grow up.

Kylie's Story On 2nd September 2018 my life changed forever. I was home with my two teenagers looking forward to a quiet weekend and my husband and parents were away working. I woke

Jenny's Story "Here is a photo of me (on right) the day before I had the SCAD. 65 and very healthy (or so I thought). I had been swimming and walking most days

Kate's Story “In January 2009 I was 26 weeks pregnant with my second child. We had just left my mother in law's house and heading to look at buying a new car, we

Vivian's Story Meet Viv! Viv was in her early 40s with 2 teenage children when she had a SCAD Heart Attack. Viv was swimming with friends "I did a few laps but it

My name is Kristy I’m 34, healthy, I was 6 days postpartum with my second child, my daughter when I suffered my heart attack. 

"I never thought this would happen to me. I assumed I had no risk of a heart attack as I had just turned 40, had low blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, a healthy diet, exercise

" My SCAD day 26th June 2020 started as just a normal day. Hubby and I had just finished our 14 day self ISO after moving back to SA from Queensland. It was a Friday

"I am a 42 year old woman and I have been healthy all of my life. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with early menopause. I was treated with hormone patches and changed to a

"I’m 35 years old with 2 young children aged 5 & 2. Healthy and with no family history of heart conditions. I suffered SCAD heart attack on the 2nd December 2019. I was at work

Lorraine's Story  I was in shock last year when my sister Lisa 47 years had a SCAD Heart Attack.. little did I know that 10 months later i would also have the same  ..with no

Zannia’s story "I had my SCAD on 18 April 2016, age 31 and just five days after the birth of my first child. I had been feeling a little ‘off’ all afternoon but

David's Story At the time of my SCAD I was 39 years old (2 years ago), I'm married, I've always eaten well and have always been into my fitness and was a fitness instructor in

Lynne's Story Lynne was 49 with 2 children when she had a SCAD Heart Attack.  She had spent the morning at her son's soccer game and then the usual Saturday morning grocery shop.  She felt

Mel’s Story Mel's Heart Attack Story: "I'm Mel, 30y.o. mother of 3. I'm currently 6w post SCAD which occurred exactly 1 week post delivery of my baby girl. We were returning in the

Jillian’s Story Jillian had a SCAD Heart Attack at the Primary School she teaches at in Tasmania. Listen to her story from an ABC Hobart Radio interview here

Liza's Story Meet Liza:  At age 42 Liza collapsed and had a heart attack at an open house inspection with her husband. Paramedics performed CPR for 32 minutes, saving Liza's life. A mum of two, Liza is fit and active &

Louise’s Story “I was only 47 when I had my SCAD. It came as a complete shock, something I would never have imagined would happen to me, mostly because I had absolutely no