New research funded by Heart Research UK is helping to transform understanding of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), a serious but often overlooked cause of heart attack, particularly affecting women under the age of 50.
SCAD occurs when a tear forms in a coronary artery, restricting blood flow to the heart. While its symptoms can mirror those of a typical heart attack, SCAD is frequently missed or misdiagnosed, especially in patients who do not fit traditional heart disease risk profiles. As a result, many people experience delays in diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate follow-up care.
In a Channel 4 News interview filmed at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, Dr Coral Hanson, Principal Investigator of the Exercise-SCAD study funded by Heart Research UK, explains how this new research is addressing critical gaps in knowledge. The study aims to better understand who is most at risk, how SCAD develops, and how patients can be safely treated and supported after diagnosis.
The segment also features Dr David Adlam, a leading UK SCAD specialist, who highlights the importance of specialist imaging, such as coronary angiography, in accurately diagnosing the condition. Sarah Coombes, a SCAD patient shares her lived experience, underlining the real-world impact of delayed recognition and the need for greater awareness.
Heart Research UK Research Impact and Communications Officer Elinor Fowler explains why the charity chose to invest in this work, emphasising the urgent need to improve outcomes for patients whose symptoms are too often dismissed.
As awareness of women’s heart health and health equity grows, this research represents an important step towards better diagnosis, improved NHS care pathways, and more lives that can be saved.
Watch the full Channel 4 News Report Here