Your Health Today June 2013 - St. Anthony's Medical Center

amazing care
sweet
SCAD heart attack no match for Judy Novack
A
heart problem was the last thing on
Judy Novack’s mind when she suffered
from back and chest pressure for
several days in February 2012.
The pain continued to increase, and Judy
took a day off from her job at an engraving
company. (“Normally, I go in even when I’m
dying,” she says). After her boyfriend, Herb
Trost, returned home from work that night, the
couple headed to St. Anthony’s Emergency
Department, where a blood enzyme test
indicated a problem with Judy’s heart.
Judy, then 53, had suffered a spontaneous
coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart
attack. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
happens when the coronary artery develops a
tear, causing blood to flow between the layers
and forcing them apart. This can create a
blockage that can result in a heart attack, and
is sometimes deadly.
Judy was moved from the Emergency
Department to Cardiac Catheterization, where
cardiologist Paul Gibson, M.D., inserted a
stent.
“This condition is rare, but it can be the cause
of sudden death. Most of Judy’s heart muscle
function has returned. Her outlook is good.”
Judy completed the Phase II Cardiac Rehab
program at St. Anthony’s, and continues to
practice heart-healthy habits by exercising
in the Phase III supervised exercise program
through Cardiac Rehab.
“My care at St. Anthony’s was wonderful;
everybody was just great,” she said. “I never
thought I’d have a cardiologist, but Dr. Gibson
is great.”
She is active in St. Anthony’s WomenHeart
Support Group, and in October she modeled
in the fashion show for the annual “Go Pink
and Red for Women” event.
“Last year, Judy organized her family to
participate in the American Heart Association’s
Heart Walk, even designing their own shirts,”
said Nancy Houlihan, R.N., charge nurse in
Cardiac Rehab.
“The first day that I woke up with it, I just felt,
‘Wow, I had a heart attack,’” recalled Judy. She
was amazed because she’s a vegetarian who
has low blood pressure, • normal cholesterol
levels and no family history of heart disease.
The cause of the artery tear is a mystery,
Dr. Gibson said.
“In my 25 years of practice, Judy is maybe the
third or fourth patient I’ve had with a SCAD
heart attack,” Dr. Gibson noted.
8 | YOUR HEALTH TODAY | JUNE 2013
St. Anthony’s WomenHeart support group meets the first
Tuesday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Call 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) for more information.