‘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.

[chappy]

Thank you for sharing your story.
As women, we are often reluctant to seek help; we are often told ‘oh it’s menopause related’, or ‘it’s anxiety’. Doctors quickly dismiss our symptoms that’s why we are the last ones to go get checked. We are tired of being gaslighted.

[astarte]

This is similar to what I’ve felt when grieving the loss of someone I cared for. I found out months later I had a heart attack.

[mariamayub]

I'm so proud of you, you're so strong.

[marilynshelton]

I am half Hispanic and had a SCAD heart attack shortly after delivering a baby. The world needs to know that this disease can happen to people of ALL races.

[Winnie-hqhs]

I am from Denmark, 57 years old. I had SCAD january 2022. And I have fibromuscular dysplasia as well. Take care❤

[julies]

Thank you for your story. I feel like womens health isn't taken seriously. I have been having odd symptoms the last few days and reluctant to get it checked because I don't feel like doctors listen to me. I have had more heartburn lately than I normally get. Over the weekend it was bad. I see my doctor soon and will be discussing some things. Thank you for your time.

[cherrymetha]

Also cardio-rehab for men in the hospital lasted 3 hours. It was one day a week for 8 weeks . They had an hour of Q&A, an hour of exercise and an hour of relaxation . And for women cardio - rehab lasted for 30 minutes and it was rubbish . A lot of women left . There was no Q&A, a bit of sitting on a chair and pretending it was exercise . NO relaxation class at all .
The men looked fit and healthy and happy . The women looked weak, tired, ill, and defeated