This month we are focusing our attention on helping you ACE Your Healthcare Journey and today is about ADVOCATING. 🫀✨ ACE Your Healthcare Journey: A is for ADVOCATE ✨🫀 Advocating for yourself isn’t always easy — but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do on your aortic journey. 💙 Advocate = taking an active role in your care. Here’s how you can start: 📝 Keep copies of your records, scans, and test results ❓ Write down questions before appointments 👥 Bring a trus

It's #ThinkAortaThinkFamily Thursday! 📑Knowing your family medical history can save lives. 🗣️Start the conversation with your loved ones and learn about the conditions that may run in your family. ❓Ask if any family member has had any type of aneurysm (not just aortic), an aortic dissection, a congenital heart defect such as being born with a bicuspid aortic valve, or a sudden death where an autopsy was not done to rule out aortic disease. 👉Aortic dissections are rare, but

✨ New year. Same body. Still worthy of movement. ✨ As we step into a new year, let’s remind ourselves of something powerful: Your body doesn’t need to change to deserve care, respect, or movement. Movement doesn’t have to look a certain way. It doesn’t have to be fast, intense, or impressive. And it definitely doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Maybe it’s 🐢 slow and steady 🕺 joyful and expressive 😴 intentional rest and recovery 🚶‍♀️ gentle, consistent progress Whate

💙 Movement for Movement Monday 💙 The hardest part isn’t the workout. It’s the decision to start. It has power over the brain. That tiny moment between thinking about moving and actually moving — that’s where the battle happens. So here’s your trick: 👉 The Two-Minute Rule. Tell yourself, “I’m already doing it.” Not “I should move,” but “I’m moving now.” Because the moment you decide, you shift your brain from hesitation to action. You stop negotiating with yourself — and ju

Did you know that aortic disease can run in families—even when it doesn’t look obvious? Genetics play a HUGE role, and sometimes the signs aren’t what you’d expect. On this episode of AHTV, genetic counselor and survivor Ryan Rodarmer shares his personal journey of surviving multiple heart surgeries and aortic dissections, PLUS the critical questions you need to ask about family history, testing, and risk factors. 💡 If you or a loved one has been impacted by aortic disease,

Ever hear of the 5 Second Rule? Not the food one 😅 — the Mel Robbins one. Here’s how it works: When you feel yourself hesitate, count 5-4-3-2-1… GO. 🚀 No overthinking. No excuses. Just action. Stand up. Stretch. Walk. Breathe. Move. Because the truth is: your life changes in the moment you decide to act. 🚀 Try it today: The next time you feel stuck, count down from 5 and move. See what happens. 🎥 Watch this short video of Mel Robbins explaining her method: CLICK HERE . 🩵

Top North American Aortic-Awareness organizations stand together to save lives during Aortic Dissection Awareness Week (September 14 –...

🌀 Movement for Movement Monday Do you ever notice how the more you sit, the heavier your body feels—and the harder it becomes to get up? That’s not weakness or laziness. It’s your brain’s inertia loop at work. Here’s the science: our brains crave consistency. When you stay still, your nervous system signals, “This must be what we’re supposed to do—stay still.” The longer you sit, the deeper the loop. But here’s the good news—motion breaks the loop. Even a 30-second “pattern

🧠 Let’s be honest. If nothing changes— ❌ Nothing. Will. Change. You say you want to feel better. Move better. Live longer. But let’s talk about what really happens if you don’t. Not in a decade—in a year: Still stiff? Still tired? Still frustrated you didn’t start sooner? 🎯 Here’s the truth: The difference between stagnation and transformation is a single uncomfortable step. Ask yourself right now: 👉 Do I want to be in the same place, physically and mentally, this time nex

💪 MOVEMENT FOR MOVEMENT MONDAY 💪 Struggling to Stay Motivated? You’re Not Alone. "Technically Still Stretching!!" Here are 3 quick...

Are ready to ACE your Healthcare Journey! ❤️Most of us view our relationship with our clinicians as: -Tell them what is wrong -They tell us what to do -We say yes -Keep our thoughts and opinions to ourselves -Feel unwell again -Refer back to the top 😯Upon receiving a diagnosis of aortic disease, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. The old model of communicating is a recipe for disaster. 👉The first step to success is to learn how to 𝗔𝗖𝗘 (𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮

☀️💃 SUMMER MOVES CHALLENGE! 🕺☀️ We know it’s hot. 🥵 We know you’re tired. 😅But we also know movement doesn’t have to be serious to be effective! 👉 Join us on Socia Media and DROP A GIF that shows how you’re moving this summer— 💦 Silly or serious 🎶 Dancing or stretching 🚶‍♀️ Slow strolls or bold bursts of energy Let’s fill the thread with laughs, inspiration, and just a little peer pressure. 😏One intentional move at a time—YOU are making a difference. #MovementForMove

Week 8 – What to Expect at a Genetic Counseling Appointment As we wrap up our 8-week Genetics 101 blog series, Ryan Rodarmer, Director of...

Week 7 – Let’s Talk About the Cost of Genetic Testing Genetic testing has opened the door to earlier detection, personalized treatment...

It's Think Aorta Thursday🎉 Just your friendly reminder that: Aortic Dissections are rare but Aortic Disease is more common than you think. Share and learn about your family medical history. There are some medical conditions that could put you at a higher risk for Aortic Disease. Aortic disease runs in families. It's more common than you think. If in doubt, check it out. #AortaEd #ThinkAortaThinkFamily #ThinkAortaUS #ThinkAorta #ByPatientsForPatients

🎉 After a full year of hard work and dedication from Aortic Hope, our Hope Ambassadors, medical students, clinical consultants, patient...

Roses are red, The skies are blue, Get up and move— Your body needs you. One small step is where it begins; each little motion is a quiet win. ✅✨Go outside. Movement doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. A slow walk, a few extra steps, or simply rising with intention—it all matters. You were made to RISE. 🌿 "Let us run with endurance the race set before us."😉 Every move you make is part of your healing story. Keep going—strength is growing with every step. ⚠️ Always chec

Welcome to Week 6 of our 8-week blog series with aortic dissection survivor and advocate Ryan Rodarmer! So far, Ryan has helped us...

🎉 After a full year of hard work and dedication from Aortic Hope, our Hope Ambassadors, medical students, clinical consultants, patient...

In our previous blog posts, we’ve explored genetic syndromes like Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome—each of which...