October 15, 2015
I am 49. Last February I was sitting at my desk thinking about going to the gym when I felt this strange pain in the center of my chest. It was so odd and unfamiliar and I hoped it would go away. It didn’t. The pain increased and I was scared so I had my husband take me to the ER.
Although my troponin levels were elevated and they kept me overnight they did not do an angiogram and told me I was a mystery. Must be stress. On August 22nd I was at the gym, mid workout when it struck again. This time the pain was familiar and even worse. In the ER I was again treated as a mystery, left in agonizing pain for almost two hours and then told I was having Esophogeal Spasm. Then my blood test came back. Elevated troponin levels.
The ER swung into high gear rushed me into a CT Angio fearing an aortic dissection. I had an angio the next day which confirmed extensive LAD dissection in two places. I suffered a non-st MI and was diagnosed with SCAD. I now take a suite of medications to treat my condition. I still have chest pain but I’ve read that is typical. Cardiac Rehab has been really helpful and I am enjoying getting back into exercise in moderation. I am grateful to be alive.