DH's dad had an aortic dissection today. I'd never heard of that before, but this is from American Heart Association: "The aorta is the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aorta?s artery wall splits open (dissects)."
He was home alone and thought he was having a heart attack, so he called 911 and was rushed to the heart care unit at one of Houston's big hospitals. He's in the ICU,but seems to be doing ok and is on medication. It looks like he caught it early enough that he should be ok, but I guess surgery might be an option depending on the amount of damage.
Aortic dissection apparently occurs in men in their 60s and 70s (FIL is in his early 70s) who have uncontrolled high blood pressure. He's been on blood pressure medication for years, but is one of those overweight old men who thinks there's nothing wrong with him (refuses to exercise, refuses to eat well, etc.). Hopefully this was a wake-up call for him and he'll be better about taking his medication and going for walks.
Any spare T&P's would be appreciated! Apparently he's giving the nurses hell, so he must be feeling better. Hopefully one of them will give him a good talking to about taking care of himself!
Re: T&P for DH's dad please
TTC #1 13 cycles, CP 6/09, TTC #2 1 cycle
CDing, EP'd for 13 months for #1, BFing for #2
Pregnancy Hypertension - inductions at 39w, I grow big babies: DD was 9 pounds 1 ounce 22 inches, DS was 11 pounds even 22 inches - both vaginal deliveries