When HAI Group Senior Business Support Associate Lisa Torelli felt a sharp pain in her chest in December 2023, she assumed it was nothing more than a muscle spasm. She had felt something similar years earlier and never imagined it could be heart-related. Feeling healthy and preparing for another busy workday, Torelli went to work as planned.
As the pain returned and intensified, a doctor at her office urged her to seek immediate medical care. That decision led to a diagnosis Torelli never expected. She had not experienced a typical heart attack. Instead, doctors discovered a tear in one of the arteries of her heart, a condition known as Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).
Torelli’s experience underscores why American Heart Month, observed each February, is so important. While sharing her story does not come easily, Torelli said she was inspired by Amy Galvin’s decision to speak openly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She hopes that by sharing her own experience, it may help even one person recognize symptoms sooner or feel less alone. The month focuses on raising awareness about heart disease, encouraging people to recognize symptoms early, and reminding us that heart-related conditions do not always look or feel the way we expect.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women and men in the United States, yet women’s symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed. Torelli’s story is a powerful example of why listening to your body and acting quickly can make all the difference.
In June 2020, Torelli experienced severe chest pain that spread to her back and arms, described as a sharp, “stabby” pain. Her mother rushed her to the hospital, where doctors ran tests and determined it was not a heart attack, attributing the pain to muscle spasms. She was sent home and, within days, felt well enough to go hiking. Looking back, Torelli now knows that episode was her body’s first warning sign.
On December 28, 2023, she woke up feeling that same familiar pain. She brushed it off, thinking it was another muscle spasm, and went to work. At the time, she was in the best shape of her life—lifting weights, training regularly, and even preparing for a new fitness challenge at her gym.
As the pain intensified, a doctor where she worked called an ambulance. At the hospital, Torelli learned that she hadn’t suffered a “typical” heart attack. Instead, she was diagnosed with SCAD, a rare and often misunderstood condition that accounts for just 1-4% of all heart attacks, most commonly affecting women between the ages of 40 and 55.
“They told me I had a tear in one of the arteries of my heart and the condition is called SCAD. It’s mostly women, often postpartum or during menopause, and it’s not something many people, or even doctors, know much about,” Torelli said.
Torelli spent six days in the hospital as her care team monitored her heart. Doctors explained that the condition disrupts blood flow to the heart, which is what ultimately causes a heart attack, even in people who are otherwise healthy and physically active.
Recovery was challenging. Doctors told Torelli she might never lift weights again, which was devastating for someone who built her routine around her fitness and enjoyed it with friends. But she didn’t let that stop her.
“For the first year, I was angry and afraid to do anything,” she said. “But eventually, I told myself, ‘I’m going to take my life back.’”
She began playing pickleball with coworkers and friends, a small step that helped her rebuild confidence and trust in her body. Through conversations with her doctors and encouragement from her SCAD online support groups, Torelli learned how to manage her condition while continuing to do the things she loves. Over time, she gained the confidence to be active again without fear, finding new ways to listen to her body and stay engaged in her life.
“Give yourself grace and space to heal,” Torelli said. “Your body’s been through trauma. Healing takes time, and it’s nothing you can control except by taking care of yourself.”
Torelli found community and strength through online SCAD support groups and by attending a SCAD symposium at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she met other women with similar experiences. “Hearing everyone’s stories made me realize I wasn’t alone,” she said.
That experience inspired Torelli to work with her cardiologist to organize a SCAD patient meet-and-greet at Yale in the future. The goal is to create a space where patients can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another in an environment that feels supportive and reassuring.
Torelli and her care team also hope the meet-and-greet will serve as the foundation for an annual SCAD symposium at Yale, bringing together patients, clinicians, and specialists to increase awareness, share emerging research, and help close gaps in education about this rare condition.
“I’m excited to help build something that connects patients and provides hope,” Torelli said.
Torelli’s story is a powerful reminder to listen to your body and to take action when something feels off, even if symptoms seem minor or familiar. Her experience reinforces the importance of trusting your instincts and seeking care, even when symptoms feel uncertain or familiar.
“If something doesn’t feel right, get checked. It’s better to go and be told you’re fine than to stay home and not be fine,” she said.
If you or someone you know is seeking information, support, or education about SCAD or heart health, these organizations can help:
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