Liz Hutchison, a 63-year-old retired nurse, is fundraising for Beat SCAD by running The Big Half on 7 September with her daughter Michaela Mayor.
Liz had her SCAD on 10 March 2017 while she was at work in the cardiac catheter labs at Northwick Park Hospital. “I worked there as the cardiac catheter lab Matron,” said Liz.
“I had two fleeting pains in my chest that lasted seconds and I thought the pain was just muscular. The third pain was as fleeting but moved across my chest to my left armpit. This was when I decided to have an ECG. I read my own ECG and knew there was something wrong,” Liz explained.
“My SCAD involved the Left main stem (LMS), Left anterior descending (LAD) and Circumflex (CX) arteries. The LMS and LAD were stented and the CX left to heal itself.”
“I love running. It has been an important part of my recovery and made me both mentally and physically stronger. I was told not to run for three months, but I’m not a good patient! I started gently running at eight weeks, but didn’t tell anyone! At the three-month point I ran my local 5K park run at a steady pace with my daughters (pictured with Liz, centre). I have only ever run three half marathons and they were at least 10 years ago,” said Liz.
“I am fundraising for Beat SCAD because I want to help raise money to allow for the continued research into SCAD and why it happens. Also, to show that there is life after SCAD. I will be running the half marathon with my daughter Michaela Mayor. She is an accomplished runner and a tough coach. She looks after me, gives me confidence and encourages me to believe in myself. I have also joined Hillingdon athletic club and the support is amazing. I was told not to chase personal bests or push too hard! At the end of 2024 I ran my fastest Park run. (My cardiologists are aware!)”
Read more about Liz’s SCAD story here.
Please support Liz by donating on her fundraising page
