Beat SCAD is a patient-led charity whose vision is a world that understands Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), where those affected are quickly and accurately diagnosed and never feel alone. Beat SCAD was established by SCAD survivors whose mission is to: ❏ raise awareness of SCAD. ❏ provide support for SCAD patients, family and friends. ❏ raise funds for research into SCAD. SCAD is a rare heart condition that can’t currently be predicted or prevented. It affects people with few or none of the normal risk factors for heart disease. SCAD can be fatal, cause heart failure, cardiac arrest, require heart bypass surgery, stents or medical management. SCAD occurs when a tear or a bruise develops in a coronary artery resulting in a blockage that prevents normal blood flow. This can result in a heart attack. ❏ SCAD affects mainly women. ❏ SCADs can occur during or soon after pregnancy. ❏ Menopause, extreme stress and exercise and connective tissue disorders have also been associated with SCAD but, as yet, we don’t know exactly what causes SCAD. The UK SCAD research project at the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (scad.lcbru.le.ac.uk) was initiated by a pro-active patient group and Beat SCAD works closely with the research team.