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

Send us Fan MailIn 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 anxietyWhy POTS is often misunderstood and dismissedHow EDS affects connective tissue, and what physical signs to watch for in yourself or othersThe hormonal, genetic, and nervous system connections between these conditionsThe psychological toll of being dismissed, unheard, or misdiagnosed — especially in young femalesWhy listening to your body and trusting your instincts can be lifesavingKey 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. Thank you for listening to A Bigger Life Podcast.  If you enjoy this episode please SUBSCRIBE to our show to stay informed. You are also keenly invited to give us a rating as well.  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nichimorrin/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nichimorrin/ To purchase Nichi's book Girl, Get out of the Freaking Car!  - Please contact us via social media                                                                                                        Psychology services - www.rewiredpsychology.com.auPrevious Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi; and levgen Poltavskyi from Pixabay.  Current music:  Music by Vlad Krotov  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.