WCAX-TV broadcast a story about underdiagnosed heart attacks in women that featured University of Vermont Medical Center cardiologist Sherrie Khadanga, M.D., Larner assistant professor of medicine.

Khadanga studies spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a tear in the coronary arteries that disturbs the blood flow and can trigger a heart attack. It targets women specifically, even those with a clean bill of health.

SCAD is especially common during and after pregnancy or through stressful life events. “The stress and the emotional burdens and psychological effects of that put stress on the heart,” Khadanga explains, noting that women are familiar with pain and used to putting others’ needs first, which may make them less likely to reach out for help—and that puts them at risk for more episodes. “It’s important for women in particular to recognize if they feel something off, that they shouldn’t just brush it off.”

Hormonal changes, stress, drug use, connective tissue disorders, and fibromuscular dysplasia can all put women at risk of SCAD.

Read full story at WCAX-TV