Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is the leading cause of heart attack in women under age 40. Until recently SCAD was largely unstudied, due to the erroneous belief that it was a rare occurrence.

Novel patient-initiated research originated in 2010 by the multidisciplinary Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program is changing that. Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., discusses Mayo Clinic's clinical and research program for SCAD, a cause of heart attack and sudden death not associated with the typical risk factors for heart disease, that primarily affects previously healthy young women and men.