It's the start of #aorticdissection awareness week, and my husband's 3.5 year anniversary of his dissection.
As always, we are so thankful for the wonderful doctors, physician's assistants, nurses, techs, occupational and physical therapists, and caregivers who helped Joel recover.
During this week, I also remember the many families who don't get to celebrate recovery like ours does. Aortic dissections are catastrophic. Quick, life-saving diagnosis is essential.
Please take a few moments to read through these aortic dissection facts.
- Aortic dissections are rare, but there are four particular risk factors: uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain syndromes like Marfan or Loeys-Dietz, a bicuspid aortic valve birth defect, and family history. If anyone in your immediate family has experienced an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm, you should visit a cardiologist. Going to your yearly physical is important for everyone, but especially for those with high blood pressure. Monitor and work to get it under control.
- Aortic dissections are often misdiagnosed. Famously, actor John Ritter's dissection was misdiagnosed, which resulted in his untimely death. The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health was begun in his honor to help advocate around the urgency to diagnose quickly, and to research potential genetic anomalies that increase the likelihood for aortic disease.
- When people experience an aortic dissection, common symptoms include sudden, intense pain; cognitive issues; and/or numbness in limbs. Health care providers will likely screen for a heart attack first, which will not show a dissection. If symptoms persist, THINK AORTA. It's been estimated that for every hour a dissection is left untreated, likelihood of survival drops by 1% - with a third of people never even making it to a hospital.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about aortic dissections. Thank you for supporting our family 3.5 years ago when this happened to Joel N.. Joel will always have to take medications and special care with his health, but what a joy to have that burden.
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1yGreat question / share and dig the short segment teaser Patrick Kothe! I learned a new word, “schedualized!” =) I dig it Jordan Griffin I agree with your assessment of the type of person that fits our industry- thanks for the insight and keep after it.