14 HEARTBEAT® JANUARY–MARCH 2024 Genetic, Structural and Hereditary Conditions It’s important to look at genetic conditions, as they increase the risk of having an aortic dissection and are frequently the cause of dissection. These include: • Nonsyndromic heritable thoracic aortic disease, which predisposes individuals to developing thoracic aortic aneu- rysms and dissections without other external features • Marfan syndrome, where the connective tissue supporting various structures in the body is weak • Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which can affect the arteries, bones, joints, skin and internal organs • Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of connective tissue disorders that affects the arteries, hollow organs, skin and lungs • Turner syndrome, a condition affecting females when one of the X chromosomes is partially or fully missing, which results in heart defects, high blood pressure and other issues People with structural heart problems such as bicuspid aortic valve (a valve that contains only two cusps/flaps instead of three) or coarctation of the aorta (narrow- ing of the aorta at birth) also have a higher probability of aortic dissection. It’s also essential to look for instances of an aortic aneurysm or dissection within DONALD SCHWARTZ: Supporting Other Aortic Dissection Patients as an Aorta Advocate Donald Schwartz, who had an aortic dissection in 2018, is an Aorta Advocate and board member at The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. Every year, he celebrates his “aortaversary” with a hike. On September 20, 2018, Donald Schwartz’s life changed. He had an aortic dissection … and survived. During his recovery, Schwartz met with an MHI Accredited Visitor. “I became involved with MHI shortly after that, and the organization played a large role in my recovery,” Schwartz says. “I attended weekly support meetings and eventually became an Accredited Visitor myself. I met with other cardiac patients a couple of times a week, and it was a beautiful and cathartic time.” However, during all times he visited patients with heart disease, he never encountered another aortic dissection survivor. “I wasn’t meeting anyone who dissected, and I wanted to find others like me,” he says. This is when he learned about The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health. He says that “the synergies were on point” and got involved as an Aorta Advocate. Similar to MHI’s Accredited Visiting Program, Aorta Advocates are trained volunteers who have personal experience with aortic aneurysm and dissection. They meet with patients to offer resources, information and a unique connection based on shared experiences. “As an Aorta Advocate, I share my story and talk to others about The John Ritter Foundation and the work we do,” Schwartz says. “I looked death in the face, and my first-hand experience is valuable. It’s comfort- ing to be with other survivors and let them know they’re not alone.” Tina Rymer, director of marketing and communications for The John Ritter Foundation, says, “Donald is so willing to help anyone he can by telling his story. He’s very compas- sionate and has been a wonderful addition to the Foundation.” The organization has worked hard to spread the word about Aorta Advocates, and Schwartz says the program has grown exponentially throughout the last couple of years. “It’s invaluable to speak to someone who’s been in the hospital bed and has the scar on their chest,” he says. Interested in becoming an Aorta Advocate? The John Ritter Founda- tion is accepting applications for its 2024 class. Visit johnritterfounda- tion.org/aorta-advocates to apply. Deadline is February 29, 2024.
