Overview
Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection (sometimes called idiopathic SCAD) is a rare and potentially life-threatening heart condition in which the wall of a coronary artery — one of the blood vessels that supplies the heart muscle — tears open without any obvious cause. When this tear occurs, blood can become trapped between the layers of the artery wall, forming a blockage that reduces or stops blood flow to part of the heart. This can lead to a heart attack, even in people who are otherwise young and healthy with no traditional risk factors like high cholesterol or smoking. The term 'idiopathic' means that no clear underlying cause — such as a known connective tissue disorder, fibromuscular dysplasia, or trauma — has been identified. The most common symptom is sudden, severe chest pain, which may feel like pressure, squeezing, or burning. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness, and pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back. Some patients experience cardiac arrest. SCAD disproportionately affects women, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, and has been associated with emotional or physical stress, pregnancy, and hormonal factors. Treatment depends on the severity and may range from conservative medical management with blood thinners and heart medications to procedures like stenting or bypass surgery in more serious cases. Because SCAD can recur, long-term follow-up with a cardiologist is essential. Research into the causes and best treatments for idiopathic SCAD is still ongoing.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Sudden severe chest painChest pressure or tightnessPain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or backShortness of breathNausea or vomitingExcessive sweatingDizziness or lightheadednessFeeling of extreme fatigueRapid or irregular heartbeatFainting or loss of consciousnessHeart attack symptoms in a young, otherwise healthy person
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsNur Hafizah Annezah binti Utuh — PHASE4
SCAD Alliance
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection
No recent news articles for Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What caused my SCAD, and is there anything that can be done to prevent it from happening again?,Should I be screened for fibromuscular dysplasia or connective tissue disorders?,What medications do I need to take long-term, and what are their side effects?,What level of physical activity is safe for me now, and will that change over time?,Is it safe for me to become pregnant in the future?,Should my family members be screened or tested for anything?,How often do I need follow-up imaging or cardiology appointments?
Common questions about Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection
What is Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection?
Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection (sometimes called idiopathic SCAD) is a rare and potentially life-threatening heart condition in which the wall of a coronary artery — one of the blood vessels that supplies the heart muscle — tears open without any obvious cause. When this tear occurs, blood can become trapped between the layers of the artery wall, forming a blockage that reduces or stops blood flow to part of the heart. This can lead to a heart attack, even in people who are otherwise young and healthy with no traditional risk factors like high cholesterol or smoking. The te
How is Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection inherited?
Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection typically begin?
Typical onset of Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Idiopathic spontaneous coronary artery dissection on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.