October Recap: Your Aorta's Fall Checklist
Good morning, Aortic Hope community!
As October comes to a close and the temperatures begin to drop, cold and flu season is officially upon us! For those living with aortic disease, recovering from an aortic dissection or surgery, or caring for someone with an aortic condition, this time of year brings a few extra things to keep in mind.
Throughout October, our Medical Monday and Topic Tuesday posts focused on helping you navigate the colder months while keeping your aortic health a priority. From staying active in chilly weather to choosing safe cold medications, understanding vaccines, and recognizing warning signs, we covered plenty of practical ways to stay healthy and prepared.
Today, we're wrapping up the month with a quick recap of what we've learned, followed by a simple Cold & Flu Season Checklist you can screenshot, save, and share with your loved ones!
🍂 October's Key Takeaways
1. Keep Moving as It Gets Colder
Cold weather can cause blood vessels to narrow, raising blood pressure and putting additional strain on the heart and aorta. Our first post in this series shared tips for staying active safely, including warming up indoors, dressing in layers, avoiding strenuous winter chores like heavy snow shoveling, and choosing indoor exercises when temperatures drop.
2. Your Fall Vaccine Game Plan
Preventing respiratory infections is an important part of protecting your overall health, especially when living with an aortic condition. We reviewed the importance of the annual flu shot and discussed other vaccines to ask your healthcare team about, including COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines based on your age and medical history.
3. What Does a Cold or Flu Do to Your Heart, Blood Pressure, and Aorta?
Getting sick can affect more than just your nose and throat! Fever, dehydration, and certain cold medications can change your heart rate and blood pressure, making it especially important to have a plan for managing your medications, monitoring your symptoms, and knowing when to contact your doctor.
4. Is It Just a Cough? What's Normal, What's Not, and When to Get Help
Coughing and sneezing are generally not dangerous for someone with a stable, closely monitored aortic condition, but it's important to recognize when symptoms may signal something more serious. We also explored coughing after heart surgery, medication-related coughs, and warning signs that should never be ignored, including sudden, severe chest, back, or abdominal pain.
5. Choosing Cold & Flu Medications Safely
Not every medication on the pharmacy shelf is the best choice for someone with aortic disease. This post explained why common decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, as well as pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen, deserve extra caution, and why checking medication labels and consulting your pharmacist can make all the difference.
6. Antibiotics and Your Aorta: What Patients and Caregivers Should Know
Antibiotics can be lifesaving when needed, but certain antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin), carry an FDA warning about an increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection in susceptible individuals. We discussed why it's important to tell every healthcare professional about your aortic history and ask whether a safer alternative is available before starting one of these medications.
7. Why Blood Pressure Climbs in the Winter
Did you know that blood pressure often increases during colder months? We explored how cold temperatures affect blood vessels and why regularly checking your blood pressure at home, keeping a log, dressing warmly, and avoiding sudden strenuous activity can help you and your healthcare team stay ahead of seasonal changes.
🫀 Your Cold & Flu Season Checklist
Before the winter season gets into full swing, take a few minutes to make sure you're prepared. Here's a simple checklist to screenshot and keep handy!
🍁 Aortic Hope's Cold & Flu Season Checklist
💉 Get your flu shot. Ask your healthcare team about your annual flu vaccine and whether you're due for any other recommended vaccines.
💊 Update your medication list. Keep an accurate list of prescriptions, blood thinners, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements on your phone or in your wallet.
🚫 Know which cold and flu medicines to skip or check first. Ask before using decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, or pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen. Watch for duplicate ingredients in combination cold medicines.
⚠️ "Ask before any fluoroquinolone." If you're prescribed an antibiotic like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or levofloxacin (Levaquin), remind your healthcare provider about your aortic condition and ask whether an alternative is appropriate. Never stop a prescribed antibiotic without medical guidance.
🩺 Make a sick-day plan with your doctor. Know which medications to continue, what to do if you become dehydrated or cannot keep fluids down, and when to call for help. Never stop your blood pressure medications on your own.
❤️ Keep a home blood pressure log. Check your blood pressure as recommended by your healthcare team, record your readings, and know your personal blood pressure and heart rate goals.
🚨 Know when to call 911. Seek emergency help for sudden, severe chest, back, or abdominal pain; fainting or collapse; sudden trouble breathing; or stroke-like symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking. Aortic emergencies do not always cause classic tearing pain, so never ignore sudden, unexplained, or concerning symptoms.
This October, we hope you've learned a few new ways to protect your aorta while continuing to enjoy everything the fall and winter seasons have to offer. Whether it's scheduling your flu shot, reviewing your medications with a pharmacist, or starting a blood pressure log, even small steps can make a meaningful difference.
Stay warm and well,
Keyana Zahiri
Brown Medical Student
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