‘I never, ever thought I was having a heart attack’: 46-year-old Ines’ story

Ines Hernandez, 46, was having a heart attack for nearly four days before symptoms worsened enough for her to seek help at her local emergency department.
Being in her 40s and active, she never thought she could be having a heart attack.
Ines' heart attack was caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).
SCAD is an uncommon emergency condition that happens when a coronary artery tears or there is bleeding within the coronary artery wall. The bleeding can block blood supply to the heart, causing a heart attack.
SCAD predominantly affects women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, although it can sometimes occur in men as well. It causes up to 35 per cent of heart attacks in women 50 years of age and younger.
Unlike traditional risk factors known to cause heart attacks, like smoking and high blood pressure, SCAD can be triggered by severe emotional distress or exertion. It can happen spontaneously in young, active, and otherwise healthy individuals.
Learn more about SCAD, and Ines' story, at health.sunnybrook.ca