How We Can Help You
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) happens when layers in the artery wall tear apart without warning, and partially or completely block blood flow to the heart. This condition typically presents as a heart attack and is often misdiagnosed. SCAD most frequently affects women, many of them young and otherwise healthy.
Our team has the expertise to diagnose SCAD, protect your heart, and ease your worries. We welcome the chance to help you, whether you have a SCAD diagnosis, or have experienced an unexplained heart attack.
We treat SCAD through the Stanford Interventional Cardiology ProgramandWomen’s Heart Health.
Find a Doctor
make an appointment
Find a Clinic
WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR SPONTANEOUS CORONARY ARTERY DISSECTION
- Nationally recognized expertise in identifying spontaneous coronary artery dissection and the subtle factors that guide its treatment.
- Advanced diagnostic options to look directly inside affected vessels and assess damage, including intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography.
- Team-based planning that brings together the expertise of cardiologists, surgeons, and imaging specialists to ensure you receive the right care.
- Thoughtful monitoring and symptom management to alleviate chest pain and reduce the risk of heart attack while protecting your arteries.
- Advanced treatment options including coronary angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that uses thin tubes called catheters.
- Comprehensive support services, including one of the country’s largest psychological support programs for people with heart conditions.
- Active clinical research to uncover the little-understood causes of SCAD and improve diagnosis and treatment.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
SCAD is a complicated and lesser known condition. It requires a different approach than obstructive coronary artery disease, a better-known cause of heart attacks. Acting too aggressively with SCAD can make fragile arteries worse, so our team works quickly and carefully.
Our doctors will work with you to provide the best treatment. Sometimes that means opening arteries closed by SCAD; other times, you may heal without intervention if you are stable and have blood flow.
The Women’s Heart Health Clinic offers specialized treatment planning and care for women with heart disease, including SCAD
Medications
While medications may relieve other heart conditions, they do not treat spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). If you have already received a prescription for heart medications, our doctors will review the earlier recommendation to see if it is appropriate.
Monitoring and Symptom Management
Our team provides all of the ongoing help you might need. We are careful to monitor you on an ongoing basis to ensure your health and safety. Our psychological support program can help you overcome any fear and return to normal life, answering any questions you may have about work, travel, exercise, or other concerns.
Coronary Angioplasty
If our doctors feel treatment is needed, they first consider coronary angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that uses thin tubes called catheters. During this procedure, doctors insert a catheter into a leg or wrist artery. If your closed artery needs opening and a minimally invasive procedure is not appropriate, our heart surgeons may perform a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants orthat may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering Stanford
What insurance plans does Stanford Health Care accept?
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans.View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? ThePatient Financial Clearanceteam is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
How do I find the right doctor for me?
When choosing a doctor, it is important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience, and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View a list of Interventional Cardiology doctors »
What Interventional Cardiology support services are available?
We offer a number of support services at the Heart and Vascular Center, including a Lifestyle Modification program, support groups, integrative medicine, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events.Learn more about our support services »
Do I need a doctor referral to be seen at the Heart and Vascular Center?
You can call the Interventional Cardiology clinic directly to schedule an appointment with a Stanford Health Care doctor. Call 650-725-2621 to make an appointment.
What areas of clinical research and innovation are Stanford doctors currently pursuing?
We constantly search for better ways to protect your heart and blood vessels. The following are some examples of our ongoing clinical innovation.
- Using the radial artery: Programs like ours traditionally reach the heart through an artery in the groin. We were among the first to use the wrist’s radial artery, for greater comfort, less bleeding, and quicker recovery. Many people undergoing angioplasty can safely go home the same day.
- Improving stent treatment: We helped develop and quickly adopted specialized cardiac catheterization testing to measure the pressure and flow of blood and see inside clogged arteries to precisely place stents. We offer the first stent that dissolves after opening your artery, with no metal used or left in your body.
- Combining angioplasty with bypass: Before, blocked arteries often required open-heart surgery when angioplasty was not possible. Our hybrid coronary revascularization provides a new alternative, stenting some arteries and bypassing others. We do not open your chest or stop your heart.
- Advancing valve treatment: We were the first hospital in Northern California to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We also have extensive experience with transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). We provide options for people who cannot undergo surgery, with the potential to expand these treatments.
- Lowering stroke risk: We were the first center in Northern California to offer the WATCHMAN™ device once it gained FDA approval. We use it for left atrial appendage closure, reducing stroke risk for atrial fibrillation. We plan to study other stroke-reducing devices as they become available.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services »
First Appointment
How long does it take to get a first appointment?
We strive to see new patients within one to two weeks.
Each of our doctors is scheduled to see patients only one day a week in the clinic. Other time obligations include performing procedures, routine patient management, and research and academic commitments.
What can I expect on my first appointment?
Managing treatment for heart disease is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way. If your medical records have not yet been received by our office, one of our staff will advise you on how to obtain them, including:
- A complete list of medications and allergies
- Laboratory work within the last year
- Echocardiogram and/or stress test (report and CD)
- Open heart surgery report
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Managing treatment for heart disease is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way. If your medical records have not yet been received by our office, one of our staff will advise you on obtaining them, including:
- A complete list of medications and allergies
- Laboratory work within the last year
- Echocardigram and/or stress test (report and CD)
- Open heart surgery report
I need directions to the clinic. Where do I park?
Palo Alto Location
The Interventional Cardiology Clinic is located at the following address. Self-parking options are available for a fee. For more information, please see:
Directions and Parking information for the Interventional Cardiology Clinic
Heart and Vascular Center - Heart Clinic 1
300 Pasteur Drive
3rd Floor, Room A31
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone:650-725-2621
Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time due to construction near the main hospital campus. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic, and complete any additional paperwork.
How do I send my medical record to SHC?
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?
Please call our clinic receptionists at650-725-2621. They are available Monday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.to help you with rescheduling or canceling your appointment.
Can my family member or friend attend my appointment?
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Can I record my discussion with my doctor during my appointment?
By California state law, you must let your care team know that you would like to record your conversation if you would like help remembering your discussion with your care team.
What is the best way to get all my questions answered during my appointment?
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there is not enough time to have all of your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your remaining questions answered.
Current Patients
How do I pay my bill?
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Pay Online:
- You can log in toMyHealthor the MyHealth mobile app to see and pay your bill.
Already have an account but need help logging in?
Forgot Username?
Forgot Password?
Contact the MyHealth Help Desk
- You can alsopay as a guestto pay your bill without logging in.
- Pay by mail:
- Stanford Health Care
P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- Stanford Health Care
- Pay by Phone:
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
1-800-549-3720.
- You can call our Patient Billing Customer Service Office
For our latest business hours and for more information about billing, visit ourBillingpage.
What Interventional Cardiology support services are available?
We offer a number of support services at the Heart and Vascular Center, including a Lifestyle Modification program, support groups, integrative medicine, nutrition services, a health library, and a variety of classes and events.Learn more about our support services »
How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-725-2621.They are available Monday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
How do I know if a Clinical Trial is right for me?
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
View list of open interventional cardiology clinical trials at Stanford
International Patients
I live overseas. How do I access Stanford care?
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
OurInternational Medicine Servicesteam can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services. Please call +1 650-723-8561 or emailIMS@stanfordhealthcare.orgto get started.
Make An Appointment
To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6459
About Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
When a coronary artery spontaneously dissects, its inner layers split apart. Blood continues to flow, but goes in between these layers, creating a false channel, or lumen. The new pathway compresses the proper channel and can even close it if it fills with enough blood. The supply of blood to the heart muscle is reduced or blocked, potentially causing a heart attack and damage to the heart muscle.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) generally causes a heart attack. The reduction in blood flow from SCAD can also cause sudden cardiac arrest, in which the heart develops a life-threatening heart rhythm. Survivors of sudden cardiac arrest may be considered for implantation of a defibrillator, which shocks the heart out of a bad rhythm and back into a normal one.
SCAD can develop in more than one artery and is commonly mistaken for other artery problems, such as coronary vasospasm or atherosclerosis. Women represent an estimated 90% of the population with SCAD.
