Ep. 18: When Our Teenage Daughter Had a Heart Attack: Three Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions Impacting Lives

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In this deeply personal episode, Nichi opens up about a terrifying moment no parent should ever face — the day her 17-year-old daughter had a heart attack that was initially dismissed as anxiety. This episode explores the dangerous consequences of misdiagnosis in women, particularly when it comes to three complex, invisible, and commonly misunderstood conditions:
 SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The symptoms and warning signs of SCAD, and how it differs from a typical heart attack or anxiety
• Why POTS is often misunderstood and dismissed
• How EDS affects connective tissue, and what physical signs to watch for in yourself or others
• The hormonal, genetic, and nervous system connections between these conditions
• The psychological toll of being dismissed, unheard, or misdiagnosed — especially in young females
• Why listening to your body and trusting your instincts can be lifesaving

Key Takeaways:

• SCAD is a real, life-threatening condition that can happen in healthy young women and is often mistaken for anxiety.
• Medical gaslighting is common — especially for women presenting with invisible or complex symptoms.
• POTS and EDS are often co-occurring and can dramatically impact quality of life when left undiagnosed or untreated.
• These conditions are not rare — they’re rarely recognised.
• Hormonal shifts, neurodivergence, and connective tissue disorders can play a role in cardiovascular and nervous system vulnerability.
• Advocacy matters: If something feels wrong, keep pushing. Your voice could save a life — including your own.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your daughters, friends, schools, and health professionals. The more we shine the spotlight on what’s been unseen and unspoken — the more unstoppable we become. 

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Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi from Pixabay.

Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended for educational purposes only. It is not deemed as psychological treatment and does not replace the advice from your health professional or need for psychological treatment.