Putting women’s heart health first: Kathryn Seaward’s story at the Chambers Wales Women’s Network event

Blake Morgan was honoured to host the Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Women’s Network event on 2^nd October, a gathering dedicated to closing the gender gap in women’s health. The highlight of the event was a deeply personal and powerful presentation by Kathryn Seaward, EDI Specialist at Blake Morgan, who shared her experience of suffering a heart attack caused by Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) at the age of 36.

Kathryn’s journey: from heart attack to advocacy

Kathryn’s story began on what seemed a perfectly ordinary Sunday morning, just as she was about to start a family holiday in West Wales. A healthy mother of two young children, she suddenly experienced a strange sensation in her chest—“an elephant sat in the middle of my chest”—followed by numbness in her left arm. Despite having no history of cardiac issues, she called 999, feeling she might be wasting people’s time. After a long wait in A&E, blood tests revealed raised Troponin levels, indicating a heart attack.

The diagnosis process was challenging and emotionally taxing, especially as Kathryn was separated from her children for ten days during her hospital stay. Eventually, an angiogram confirmed SCAD—a rare condition that is still little known, even among medical professionals. Kathryn’s SCAD was pregnancy-related, likely prolonged by breastfeeding, and she learned that 90% of SCAD sufferers are women of childbearing or menopausal age.

Recovery was not just physical but emotional, as Kathryn navigated the challenges of motherhood while healing. She found support through the Beat SCAD community and the British Heart Foundation (BHF), and set her sights on improving her fitness and raising awareness. Less than a year after her SCAD, Kathryn ran the Cardiff Bay 10K, raising over £1,500 for Beat SCAD and being featured in Wales Online. Her story is a testament to resilience and the importance of research, community, and advocacy.

Kathryn Seaward speaking at the Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Women’s Network event.

Event overview: bias & biology in women’s health

Kathryn’s presentation set the tone for an event focused on the intersection of bias and biology in women’s health. The session, themed “Bias & Biology: Closing the Gender Gap in Women’s Health,” featured expert speakers from BHF Cymru, who discussed the impact of gender bias on health outcomes. Topics included workplace inequalities, safety protocols, and the unique challenges women face in balancing caregiving and work.

Attendees learned about the prevalence and symptoms of cardiovascular disease, which claims 26 lives a day in Wales. The event highlighted the importance of recognising symptoms—such as chest pain, nausea, and pain radiating to the arm or jaw—which are often misunderstood or dismissed in women. Personal stories, like those of Helen Terry and her brothers running the Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of their mother, and Frances and Mary’s journey with heart disease, brought the statistics to life.

Moving forward

Blake Morgan is committed to supporting initiatives that promote equality, wellbeing, and empowerment. Hosting the Chambers Wales Women’s Network event and hearing Kathryn’s story was a privilege, reminding us all of the importance of advocacy, research, and community. We encourage everyone to share what they’ve learned—because raising awareness can save lives.

For more information, visit the British Heart Foundation and Beat SCAD websites.