From Wimbledon Dreams to a Heart Attack Nightmare
At just 17 years old, Trudi Musgrave-Edwards stood on centre court at Wimbledon, receiving a trophy from the Duke and Duchess of Kent in the royal box. This moment in 1995, during the junior doubles final, marked the realisation of a lifelong dream for the young athlete from Macquarie Hills. "We went to the Champions Ball that night. Steffi Graf had won the singles. It's a dinner they put on where they hire gowns for you. It was the most amazing thing," she recalled. This experience solidified her passion, leading to a career where she competed in all grand slams and enjoyed a long tenure on the world tennis tour.
A Sudden Turn: The SCAD Heart Attack
After retiring from professional tennis following the 2008 Australian Open at age 30, Musgrave-Edwards transitioned into coaching in her hometown of Newcastle. However, at age 43, her life took a dramatic turn when she suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack. This week marks five years since the incident, coinciding with SCAD Awareness Week. A SCAD occurs when a split forms in the wall of an artery supplying blood to the heart, primarily affecting women with few or no cardiac risk factors.
Despite enduring serious injuries throughout her tennis career, nothing prepared her for this health crisis. "I had bad chest pain on the Friday night and Saturday morning, then it went away," she said. Initially dismissing the symptoms, she did not seek medical attention. Two days later, while coaching tennis, she experienced a full-blown heart attack. "It was like in the movies when people's hands go to their chest. It felt like an elephant on my chest," she described. An ambulance arrived within five minutes, a critical factor in her survival, as she drifted in and out of consciousness, narrowly avoiding cardiac arrest.
Symptoms and Urgent Warnings
Musgrave-Edwards emphasised that heart attack signs can vary widely, including indigestion, back pain, or severe chest pain like hers. Other symptoms may involve:
- Jaw or shoulder pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing and fatigue
She urged people not to ignore these indicators, stating, "Now I would call an ambulance straight away." SCAD heart attacks have a recurrence rate of approximately 30 percent over a decade, adding an ongoing layer of anxiety. "I could see my cardiologist tomorrow, walk out the door with everything fine and the next day have a SCAD," she noted. "I can look healthy and feel fine, but it can just happen."
Coping and Advocacy for SCAD Awareness
With a resilient mindset honed from her tennis days, Musgrave-Edwards has learned to manage the psychological impact of her experience. She collaborated with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute to develop a program aimed at helping others navigate the emotional challenges of SCAD. Occasionally, fears resurface, such as during her first flight post-heart attack. "I was like 'oh my gosh, what if I have a SCAD on the flight to Adelaide'. I was like 'just don't think about it, that's worse'," she shared.
To reduce the risk of recurrence, she advocates for lifestyle changes, including:
- Avoiding emotional stress
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight and diet to manage blood pressure
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictability of heart health and the importance of awareness and prompt action in saving lives.
