SCAD SURVIVORS
‘Each heart represents an Australian SCAD Heart Attack survivor. Click on a heart or scroll down to read their stories’
SCAD Survivor stories
One of the most powerful ways that to spread the word about SCAD Heart Attacks and support survivors is by sharing our stories. SCAD affects healthy, active adults who often have no risk factors for heart disease, we thank all of these men and women for sharing their SCAD Heart Attack experience.
Jeanene’s Story (Qld)
"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.
Shayne’s Story (Sydney)
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
Sue’s Story (NSW)
"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 (Canberra)
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’s Story (Tasmania)
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
Jen’s story (Central Coast NSW)
Jen’s story (Gosford) Jen had a SCAD Heart attack aged just 36 with an 11month old baby & a 3year old toddler, Jen had been suffering from horrible stress in the lead up
Shelley’s Story (Central Coast NSW)
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.
Antoinette’s Story (Vic)
"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 (Vic)
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
Angie’s Story (Melbourne)
"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"
Emily’s Story (NSW)
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...
Emily’s Story (Perth)
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 (Vic)
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 (Sydney)
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 (Qld)
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 (NSW)
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
Nicole’s Story (Sydney)
Nicole’s Story In Feb 2014 I gave birth to our beautiful daughter Holly. Throughout my life I have maintained a healthy and fit lifestyle with a keen interest in health and fitness. I
Kristy’s Story
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.
Jessica’s Story (Qld)
"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
Alisha’s Story (S.A.)
" 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
Kelly’s Story (Qld)
"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
Brooke’s Story (Sydney)
"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 ( WA )
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
Sue’s Story
Sue's Story: An Unforgettable Mother’s Day “No, - not you of all people! “, was the general response from my family and friends, when they were told that I had just had a
Zannia’s story (Vic)
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 (Qld)
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 (Tas)
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 (Wollongong)
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
Dominique’s Story (Nsw)
Dominique Chevrant Breton (NSW) 30th December 2016 was a hot day in Sydney and I was enjoying the Christmas to New Year short holiday. That morning, I had gone to the gym as
Jillian’s Story (Tas)
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 (Nsw)
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 &
Kate’s 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
Louise’s Story (W.A.)
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