Jane’s SCAD Heart Attack Story: “But you look alright”
“I’d just done 80 laps of the backyard 12 metre long pool, I got out with chest pain. My husband said what’s wrong I said I had chest pain….”but you look alright”. A couple of days later lifting a heavy box of books another episode. 3 days later severe chest pain. Gaviscon was not touching it thinking it may be indigestion. I went to bed. He came in “but you look alright” he said again and multiple times. I insisted on going to hospital. He said….you guessed it “but you look alright”.

I should have called an ambulance but I’m 5-10 minutes away from major teaching hospital. Had to go 3 deep in the triage cue!  Straight through to casualty. Then to coronary care for 4 days. Yes I’d had a SCAD. I was 56 and my very fittest at that time of year. I’m now 57, scared to over exert myself, have passed all the stress tests etc. The issue was I did not fit the profile, female, 50s, fit, not pale, male, clammy etc. I was not a text book case. I’m a registered nurse but practicing artist and my husband is a doctor. Neither of us or anyone in our circle had heard of SCAD. I need to spell it out to doctors etc. This needs an education campaign, particularly when I got handed all the lifestyle pamphlets when they are irrelevant in my case.

It has been a year, I’ve thought about it every day. I was lucky in my recovery, I have a passion for watercolours and that helped. I am  relieved my children are adults. We need more research and education.” Read more SCAD heart attack stories here or join an Australian survivor group (not affiliated with SCAD Research Inc) here.