Back in February 2021, my life changed in ways I never could have imagined. I suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) — where multiple arteries in my heart tore open — resulting in a heart attack.

It happened while I was walking the beautiful South West Coast Path between Looe and Polperro. At the time, I didn’t realise how serious it was. I even walked home afterwards and went kayaking the next day, not knowing I’d just survived a heart attack.

Over the following weeks I experienced more episodes, and eventually went to A&E. After an angiogram, I learned the extent of my SCAD: multiple tears across key arteries, including the left main stem and branches of the heart. The cardiologist described it as “extensive.” I spent nine nights in a specialist cardiac care unit, rigged up to machines, trying to take it all in.

Life got back to normal for a few years but in November 2023, while on holiday in Portugal, I had another heart attack.

This time is was my right coronary artery. During the angiogram procedure, my aorta was punctured, leaving me with a large aneurysm on the root of my aorta — something that took a long time to heal.

It’s now nearly two years since my last heart attack, and I’m determined to focus on recovery, strength, and new adventures.

My Challenge

Next May, Chris and I plan to walk the final 115 km of the Camino Francés in Spain — a journey of reflection and hope.

I want to use this challenge not only to celebrate how far I’ve come, but also to raise vital funds for Beat SCAD.

Why Beat SCAD?

SCAD is a rare condition, most common in women under 50, and is the leading cause of heart attacks associated with pregnancy. Sadly, many people don’t know the symptoms of female heart attacks — especially as they often present differently than men’s.

Beat SCAD has been a huge support since my first heart attack in 2021. They provide support to patients and families, raise awareness of this little-known condition, and fund crucial research to help others like me.

How You Can Help

We would love your support as we take on the Camino challenge. Every donation — big or small — will help Beat SCAD continue their life-changing work.

Thank you for reading my story and for supporting a cause that means so much to us.

Raising Awareness

Heart disease is the biggest killer of women in the UK, yet many women don’t recognise the symptoms — or don’t realise they’re at risk.

A lot of women put their symptoms down to stress, anxiety, hormones, or being run-down.

SCAD shows us that heart conditions don’t only affect older people or those with obvious risk factors — they can happen to women who are otherwise healthy, active, and doing everything ‘right’.

Knowing your numbers is really important — blood pressure, cholesterol and family history can tell you a lot, even if you feel well.

For women, heart symptoms don’t always look like sudden chest pain. They can be much quieter and easier to explain away.

We’ve done an amazing job encouraging women to check their breasts regularly. Heart awareness needs the same spotlight. What I’d love to see is us adding heart awareness to that same moment of self-check — not replacing it, just widening the conversation.

When women check their breasts, I’d love them to also check in with their heart — noticing things like chest tightness, jaw or shoulder pain, unusual breathlessness, deep fatigue, nausea, or just a sense that something isn’t right. Heart symptoms in women can be subtle, and listening to your body can save your life.

If we can get one more woman to recognise the signs of heart trouble, one more GP to think differently about symptoms, or one more pound donated to SCAD research then it would be amazing.