Re: spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on December 27, 1998 at 18:32:53:

In Reply to: spontaneous coronary artery dissection posted by Jasha on December 27, 1998 at 16:46:52:






While reading one of your responses to questions about spontaneous coronary artery dissection, I noticed that you mentioned connective tissue disorders may somehow be related to SCAD.  My doctors believe that I may have ongoing SCADs because of tests they have conducted.  I also have fibromyalgia.  Do you think that there could possibly be a connection?  Also, I have chest pain constantly.  We are attributing the daily, constant pain to the fibro, but when I have severe chest pain, I am supposed to report to my hospital and be admitted for monitoring.  I have been told that fibro does NOT cause the chest pain, but through the trigger points, the pain that may be there from the dissections, is intensified.  I'm trying to sort all of this out and make some sense out of it.  Thank you for your time!
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Dear Jasha
I agree that fibromyalgia does not cause serious chest pain, and it does not ever involve the coronary arteries. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection can cause serious chest pain or even death. The connective tissue disorders that are related to coronary dissection are the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and other disorders of collagen, associated with having weak connective tissue. These are rare syndromes.
The concept of ongoing spontaneous coronary artery dissections is a new one to me. I am not sure how such a situation can exist without resulting in death. Perhaps you misunderstood what your doctors meant.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.