Heart Education Awareness Resource and Training through eLearning (HEARTe)
Results of Health Check
Please click on the results from Rebecca’s health checks to learn more.
Following both the results of Rebecca’s health check and how she is feeling, it is agreed that Rebecca will start her Cardiac Rehab Programme.
Rebecca’s blood pressure is 150/90mmHg and her heart rate is 90 beats per minute (bpm) and regular.
Rebecca’s resting heart rate is elevated, although within a normal range (typical resting heart rate is between 60-100bpm).
Rebecca’s blood pressure is ‘a bit high’. High blood pressure (hypertension) is typically defined as being 140/90mmHg or higher. For more information on high blood pressure visit CHSS Resources Hub: High Blood Pressure
Her BMI is 24kg/m2.
Rebecca’s BMI is healthy.
A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9kg/m2.
To learn more about healthy weight and BMI, please visit:
Rebecca has regular periods, and her last one was three weeks ago.
Rebecca appears to still be in her fertile years
Rebecca is advised to make an appointment with her healthcare provider to discuss her contraception options and the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
She has had 4 pregnancies and hadIn vitro fertilisation for them all. She has had 2 live births and 2 miscarriages.
Rebecca had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for her 4 pregnancies.
Women undergoing fertility treatment may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It remains unclear regarding whether this risk is linked to the treatment itself or linked to the underlying fertility problem.
She had2 miscarriages between her first and second live births.
In the UK, recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more miscarriages during the first trimester and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Rebecca is advised to make an appointment with her healthcare provider to discuss her contraception options and the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
Sources and for more information, please visit:
Miscarriage and cardiovascular disease risk visit: ScienceDirect.
Migraines are associated with SCAD. The exact link is not clearly understood but may be to do with blood vessel abnormalities, and hormonal fluctuations.
Rebecca is advised to make an appointment with her healthcare provider to discuss treatment and management options for her migraine symptoms.
Although Rebecca initially stated that she was not feeling anxious, she now admits to feeling anxious and panicky and that her husband won’t let her do anything. She is also very worried about how she will cope about when he next has to go away for work.
Rebecca identifies other people who can provide her with any potential physical and emotional support she may need while her husband is away. This could include family members and friends.
Rebecca is encouraged to use relaxation/breathing/mindful techniques when she feels anxious or stressed. This could include techniques she has learned doing Yoga. They also discuss the option for a psychologist referral and Rebecca decides to consider it.
Rebecca enjoys yoga and finds it relaxing. If Rebecca practices yoga, she is advised to avoid isometric yoga poses (tight muscles and in one position, e.g. plank pose).
Rebecca is reassured by the cardiac rehab professional that undertaking the cardiac rehabilitation programme will not place undue stress on her. The programme will gradually build up Rebeccas exercise tolerance.
Rebecca agrees to start her cardiac rehab programme.
For more information on mindfulness and managing stress visit:
Disclaimer: Partners may also report feeling very anxious about the SCAD event and therefore can benefit from tailored information to alleviate these feelings.
