Actor Alan Thicke, age 69, collapsed while playing hockey with his son at an ice rink. He died hours later at a California hospital. Thicke's death was caused by aortic dissection. Aortic dissection also killed actor John Ritter at age 54.

What celebrities have died of aortic dissection?

Who just died of an aortic aneurysm?

The sudden death of veteran sports reporter Grant Wahl, 49, who collapsed while covering the World Cup in Qatar, was alarming to so many of us. The autopsy revealed that he died from an aortic aneurysm, meaning a blood vessel leading from his heart that carries oxygenated blood, had ruptured.

Can you live a long life after an aortic dissection?

Abstract. We analyzed long-term results in 71 patients (45 men and 26 women) treated over 17 years for documented descending aortic dissection. Forty-nine patients were treated medically and 22, surgically. Actuarial survival was 65% at 1 year, 57% at 3 years, 50% at 5 years, and 28% at 10 years for the whole group.

Has anyone survived an aortic dissection?

For people who experience aortic dissection, simply surviving the event is a triumph. Nearly 18% of those who sustain aortic dissection die before arriving at the hospital, and 21% die within 24 hours if they don't have surgery.

Celebrity Deaths Create Awareness About Aortic Dissection & Treatment at Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Who is most likely to get aortic dissection?

We find that patients with poorly controlled blood pressure are at most risk for aortic dissection. Additionally, those with pre-exciting connective tissue diseases, such as Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other collagen vascular disorders, are also at high risk for aortic tears.

How painful is aortic dissection?

Pain: You may experience sudden severe pain in the chest, back or abdomen. A radiating pain in the chest or upper back is described as a tearing or ripping sensation. The pain can extend to the legs and make walking difficult. Difficulty breathing: You may feel short of breath or lose consciousness.

How often is aortic dissection fatal?

At least 30% of patients die after reaching the emergency room and even after surgery, the mortality rates vary from 20-30%. For those who survive the surgery, the comorbidity also takes a toll and the quality of life is poor. the highest mortality of an acute aortic dissection is within the first 10 days.

How fast is death with an aortic aneurysm?

If the ruptures occur in the anterior areas, up to 90% of patients suddenly die within 48 hours if left untreated or treated improperly. If ruptures locate in the posterior areas, the risks of sudden death is substantially reduced to 30%.

What famous person has an aortic aneurysm?

The interesting case of Albert Einstein's abdominal aortic aneurysm is presented. He was operated on at age 69 and, finding that the large aneurysm could not be removed, the surgeon elected to wrap it with cellophane to prevent its growth.

What are the odds of surviving aortic dissection?

Three-year survival was 68.8±4.7% (including hospital mortality). Hospital survivors had a three-year survival of 88.3±3.9%. International studies report an in-hospital mortality between 10 to 25% for surgically treated acute type A dissection (AAD).

What is the biggest risk factor for aortic dissection?

Ongoing high blood pressure (hypertension). This is the most important risk factor. High blood pressure causes direct damage to the layers of aortic tissue, causing loss of elastic fibers, breakdown of the wall structure and increased wall stiffness.

Is aortic dissection surgery risky?

The risks involved in surgery are appreciable, but far lower than not operating. A given patient's risk will vary, depending on such factors as age and overall health status, but the average mortality, or risk of death, from repair of an aortic dissection is about 15%.

Are there warning signs before aortic dissection?

Typical signs and symptoms include: Sudden severe chest or upper back pain, often described as a tearing or ripping sensation, that spreads to the neck or down the back. Sudden severe stomach pain.

What are the red flags of aortic dissection?

Aortic Dissection Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin suddenly and may include severe chest or back pain that may be felt as sharp or stabbing or as a tearing. Sometimes, the pain moves to the neck, jaw, shoulder, arm, or abdomen. Acute aortic dissection can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Can you fly with an aortic dissection?

In direct answer to your question about travel, there is nothing about a long airplane ride that would put additional stress on the aorta and increase risk of worsening the dissection, as long as the patient does not do heavy lifting.

Is death from aortic dissection painful?

Aortic dissection most commonly causes a sharp, stabbing pain either in the chest or the back, depending on whether the dissection starts at the root of the aorta, which is near the heart, or in the back, another common origin.

What is the life expectancy of someone with an aortic dissection without surgery?

Survival for patients treated with surgery was 96.1%±2.4% and 90.5%±3.9% at 1 and 3 years versus 88.6%±12.2% and 68.7%±19.8% without surgery (mean follow-up overall, 2.8 years, log rank P=0.009).

What is the main cause of aortic dissection?

Aortic dissection most often happens because of a tear or damage to the inner wall of the aorta. This very often occurs in the chest (thoracic) part of the artery, but it may also occur in the abdominal aorta. When a tear occurs, it creates 2 channels: One in which blood continues to travel.

What should you eat after aortic dissection?

Eat foods high in fiber and protein and low in sugars and fat. Some people are required to switch to a low salt and low fat diet. Your cardiologist or primary physician will give you diet instructions, specific to your case.

How long can aortic dissection go unnoticed?

Chronic aortic dissection - Symptoms for chronic aortic dissections can go unnoticed for weeks. Shortness of breath, fainting, and sweating are common symptoms of chronic aortic dissection.

What age do people get aortic dissection?

Because the average age of patients with AoD is 65 years,² younger patients with AoD are especially likely to be misdiagnosed.