Chest pain during a daily run unfolds an unfortunate diagnosis: A case report and review of the literature on spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon but important cause of acute coronary syndrome. This condition is not linked to typical atherosclerotic risk factors, such as tobacco use, high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. The majority of patients with SCAD experience chest pain and have some form of acute coronary syndrome with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) being the most common. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance, as it can be fatal if management is delayed. Medical management is preferred over percutaneous intervention for hemodynamically stable cases. A case is presented of a 51-year-old female patient with no significant comorbidities who presented with exertional chest pain and STEMI, which unfolded a diagnosis of SCAD.