Ten Minutes With... Jen O'Neill

Find Jen O'Neill: Linkedin | SCADaddle | SCAD Research Inc Australia

More about Jen's story: SBS News | Channel 9 Interview | Coast Community News | 

Jen’s Story: Surviving Three SCAD Heart Attacks and Advocating for Research

Rhea Mercado interviews Jen from Australia’s Central Coast, a SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) survivor. Jen explains SCAD as a tear in a coronary artery that can cause a heart attack or death and describes having three SCAD heart attacks, first at age 36 while breastfeeding, then during COVID at work, and again in 2022 at 42 despite being otherwise healthy with no typical heart-disease risk factors. She recounts initially dismissing symptoms, normal ECG results, delayed angiogram diagnosis, and learning that stenting can worsen SCAD.

Jen discusses the lack of SCAD-specific research, the impact on work and fatigue, and her advocacy. She promotes SCAD Research Inc Australia’s annual October “SCADaddle” fundraiser (10th anniversary) supporting research with the Victor Chang Cardiac Institute.

00:00 Meet Jen and Rhea

00:23 What Is SCAD?

02:17 Jen’s First Heart Attack

04:36 Second and Third Episodes

05:34 Diagnosis and Angiogram

07:14 Awareness and Research Gaps

08:26 Living and Working With SCAD

10:40 Advocacy and Finding Purpose

11:20 SCADaddle Fundraiser Details

12:55 Wrap Up and Thanks

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The team who produce the The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast acknowledge the traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the land on which the podcast is recorded. We are located on the land of the Dharug people. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to the Elders past, present and emerging

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast is a Threesticks Production. Hosted and Produced by Rhea Mercado. Our Emperor of Sound, Original Music Man and Executive Producer is Wills. Copyright 2026 Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado®.

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The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

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