Peta Rance, a 40-year-old footcare practitioner from Yeovil, Somerset, was once a dedicated runner, jogging 5k multiple times a week to improve her health after being diagnosed with high blood pressure. But everything changed suddenly when she began feeling a tingling sensation down her left arm, accompanied by chest discomfort and nausea.
Initially dismissing the symptoms as unlikely to be serious, Peta thought a heart attack was impossible at her age. However, the unusual behavior of her cat, Winnie—who refused to leave her side—prompted her to call 111 for help. Despite hesitating to bother emergency services, paramedics arrived quickly and rushed her to the hospital.
There, doctors diagnosed Peta with a rare heart attack caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a tear in her coronary artery. This condition is rare and tends to affect women, often linked to hormonal changes like those caused by contraceptive pills. Peta’s recent switch in medication, combined with her pre-existing high blood pressure, likely contributed to this life-threatening event.
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Peta was treated with blood thinners, beta blockers, and blood pressure medication, and advised to rest to allow her artery to heal. Refusing to be defined by her ordeal, just six weeks later, Peta began training for a 5k marathon in Bournemouth, raising thousands for heart-related charities.
Her experience serves as a powerful reminder to monitor your health and seek medical advice if you sense something is wrong. Peta’s takeaway is clear: “Check your blood pressure. If you feel something is wrong, get checked out. There’s a chance I could have another attack, but for now, I’m focusing on living each day as if it’s my last.”