Patient Stories

News and first-person accounts from individuals who’ve experienced aortic dissection. Discover real-life recovery journeys, emotional insights, and life‑changing moments shared by patients and families. These stories highlight resilience, community, and the impact of support—offering inspiration and hope to all touched by this condition.

All (65) Patients & Families (17) Patient Stories (14) THINK AORTA® (11) Healthcare Professionals (11) Fundraising (7) Research (8)

Elizabeth's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 1st June 2025 by Janine Nieto

Elizabeth Ganly, 77 recalls her first heart-related symptom and the experience that followed.

Rachel's Type B aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 26th May 2025 by Janine Nieto

Rachel Linford from Preston, Lancashire was 30 when she suffered an acute Type B aortic dissection.

Michael's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 8th February 2025 by Janine Nieto

Michael Black 42, suffered a type A dissection and underwent a hemiarch replacement in March 2024. His story began on a normal evening spent at the...

Jeni's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 18th August 2024 by Janine Nieto

Jeni Bennett aged 44 from Swindon suffered her aortic dissection in 2005 after falling ill at work. When reaching hospital, she explained about her...

Mark's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 2nd August 2024 by Janine Nieto

Mark Smith an active 59-year-old had started to enjoy his retirement when he suffered an aortic dissection during a trail run. Mark tells us his...

Stevie's Type A aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 16th June 2024 by Janine Nieto

Kirsty Paterson talks about what happened to her Dad Stevie after he suffered a sudden Type A Aortic Dissection at age 57.

Sharon's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 8th June 2024 by Gareth Owens

Sharon Goddard suffered an acute Aortic Dissection as her plane landed in the UK after a family holiday

Sarah's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 18th March 2024 by Gareth Owens

Patient Pioneer: Sarah, pictured here with her surgeon, Mr. Jorge Mascaro, is the first patient in the UK to have an Aortic repair using the new...

Melanie's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 18th December 2023 by Janine Nieto

An inspirational heartfelt story of an Aortic Dissection patient’s triumph, determination, and true love in New York!

Prashant's Type A aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 18th December 2023 by Janine Nieto

Prashant was 38, a young fit and healthy man, when he suffered a Type A Aortic Dissection while working out at the gym.

Andrew's Type A aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 12th November 2023 by Gareth Owens

Andrew Stevenson was Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Lincoln when he suffered an acute Type A Aortic Dissection at the age...

Stefan's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 8th November 2023 by Janine Nieto

Stefan had at first refused to seek medical help, but ended up undergoing a 12-hour life-saving operation to repair an Aortic Dissection and was...

Howard's aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 6th November 2023 by Janine Nieto

Howard Dyson 64, tells us about a rare incidence of aortic dissection which happened accidentally during routine surgery.

Anne's Type A aortic dissection patient story

Posted on 6th November 2023 by Janine Nieto

Anne Cotton is a retired Primary School Teacher from Warwick who had her entire Aorta replaced in three stages, after suffering an acute Type A...