Understanding Aortic Stenosis Aortic stenosis is one of the most common and serious valve diseases. It occurs when the aortic valve opening becomes narrowed, making it harder for blood to leave the heart and reach the body. At first, the heart compensates. Over time, that compensation fails — and symptoms appear. Aortic stenosis prognosis: What 6 facts should you know? Heart-valve-surgery.com n.d. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/aortic-stenosis-prognosis.php (accessed Feb

Welcome to 2026, Aortic Hope Family! We are hoping for a happy, safe, and healthy new year for all. If you’ve been following along our weekly blog posts this month, you’ve been introduced to some of the basics of the aorta. As we enter the colder months, great attention is placed on avoiding colds and the flu. However, today we want to raise awareness about an association that many patients may not be aware of: the link between cold temperatures, blood pressure, and aortic di

Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’ll be discussing aortic dissections. An aortic dissection is a serious and scary diagnosis to hear. The name alone can sound overwhelming, and the details are often explained quickly during a stressful moment. One of the first things doctors talk about is whether the dissection is Type A or Type B. While that may sound like medical shorthand, the difference is actually pretty simple — and very important. What is an aortic dissection? The aort

Picture from Heart Foundation - NZ ❤️ Understanding Aortic Aneurysms An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of the aorta—the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body—becomes weakened and begins to bulge or stretch. Over time, this bulge can grow larger and, in severe cases, may rupture, which is a life-threatening emergency. 📍 Types of Aortic Aneurysms There are two main types, based on where they occur: • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Form

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body and the main vessel responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every organ . Every heartbeat pushes blood into the aorta under high pressure, making its structure and health absolutely critical for survival. Because it handles such force, the aorta is built with thick, elastic walls that allow it to stretch with each heartbeat and recoil to keep blood moving forward smoothly. Authors/Task Force Members, C

Happy Tuesday, everyone! With aortic root disease, patients and surgeons have several options for aortic root replacement. Today, we’ll be discussing these different techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of each. What is special about the Aortic Root? The aortic root is the section of the aorta closest to the heart, where the aortic valve sits. Unlike the ascending aorta, replacement of this section of the aorta requires management of the coronary arteries, which b

Welcome back, everyone! If you’ve ever been told you need surgery on your aortic arch, the big curve of the main artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the terminology. “Hemi-arch replacement” and “total arch replacement” sound similar, but they involve different levels of repair. Let’s break down what they mean and what patients should know. What’s the aortic arch, and why does it matter? The aortic arch is the

Welcome back to Topic Tuesday! Today we will be highlighting a newer tool on the market in aortic surgery - the Konect Resilia Valve Aortic Root Conduit. Aortic surgery from a cardiac surgery perspective often includes repair or replacement of the aortic root, aortic valve, and/or the ascending, arch, and sometimes descending portions of the thoracic aorta. Below is a diagram reminding us of general aortic anatomy. For more details, feel free to refer back to our previous blo

Credit: Harvard Health Publishing Hello everyone! Welcome back to another amazing topic Tuesday. When it comes to heart health, prevention is powerful. What we eat each day can make a lasting difference in protecting our arteries, improving circulation, and lowering the risk of coronary disease. For those living with or at risk for aortic and other cardiovascular conditions, even small dietary changes can strengthen the body’s natural defenses. Here are some foods that truly

Do More Aortic Dissections Happen in the Winter? During the winter, clinicians have often sensed that more patients present to the emergency department with aortic dissections. Is this just a coincidence, or do more dissections happen in cold weather? It’s a fair question. Many heart-related conditions, like heart attacks and strokes, show seasonal patterns. But what about the aorta? According to large international studies and several meta-analyses, the answer is clear: yes,

Welcome back, everyone! Every year, people with heart or vascular problems ask the same question: “Is it safe for me to get the flu shot...

Hello everyone! I’m Alvaro, and welcome back to Topic Tuesday. Today we’re going to tackle a question that many patients ask after going through a major operation: “Can I ride roller coasters after heart surgery?” First things first: Why is this even a question? Heart surgery is a big deal. Whether it’s bypass surgery, valve replacement, or aortic repair, your chest and cardiovascular system go through a long healing process. Roller coasters, with their sudden drops, high spe

It's #TopicTuesday 🚨 *Flying with Aortic Aneurysm or After Aortic Dissection: Know the Risks 💔* If you have an aortic aneurysm 🩺 or have experienced an aortic dissection , understanding the risks of flying is CRUCIAL 🚨. 🚁Changes in cabin pressure during flight could potentially increase stress on the aorta, leading to serious complications. # Key Considerations 🤔: - ⛔️ *Aortic Dissection *: Post-dissection, flying is generally discouraged for a period determined by

Welcome back to another Topic Tuesday, friends. Let's talk about lifting after aortic surgery. "Can I lift weights again?" The truth is, there isn’t one universal rule for everyone. Different doctors and rehabilitation programs may give different advice—because the research on weightlifting after aortic surgery is limited, and every patient’s situation is unique. When you lift something heavy—whether it’s a dumbbell, a grocery bag, or even your grandchild—your blood pressure

Welcome back, everyone! Though our healthcare system focuses on treating diseases when people show up to the doctor’s office or the...

It's Topic Tuesday and we are wrapping up this months focus on surgery by discussing Dacron Grafts. *Understanding Dacron Grafts in Aortic Surgery* If you or a loved one is undergoing aortic surgery, you might have heard of Dacron grafts. Let's break it down in simple terms: *What is a Dacron Graft?* A Dacron graft is a synthetic tube made from a special material called polyester. It's used to repair or replace a damaged or diseased part of the aorta, the main artery that car

Hello Aortic Hope Family! I hope that you are having an amazing week so far. I am sure we have all heard of the term ventilators, whether...

Welcome back, everyone! Hope everybody had a safe and fun holiday weekend! Last week, we discussed a couple of different types of...

Hello everyone, welcome back to another Topic Tuesday! Yesterday, we talked about the median sternotomy, the most common surgical...

Hi everyone! Today, we’re talking about a group of medications called diuretics —often nicknamed “water pills.” They help many people...