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Why Your Aorta Matters: Silent Risks and Surgical Solutions
5 min. read
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care
What role does your aorta play in your health? As the major vessel transporting oxygen-rich blood from your heart to every part of your body, it’s an integral part of your cardiovascular system.
So when something goes wrong with the aorta, the result can be deadly. A weak spot anywhere in the vessel’s 11 segments can cause it to bulge and eventually rupture. Similarly, a tear or separation in the layers of the aortic wall can lead to sudden death.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans live with heart valve disease, including silent aneurysms and valve disorders. Each year, tens of thousands are newly diagnosed with aortic aneurysms or suffer aortic dissection.
What is Aortic Disease?
Experts with Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care say aortic disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the aorta. These include:
· Aneurysms: Weak or bulging areas in the aortic wall that can rupture if left untreated.
· Dissections: Tears within the layers of the aortic wall, often causing sudden and severe complications.
· Aortic Valve Disease: Conditions that affect the functioning of the valve and thus blood flow from the heart.
Why Early Detection Is Critical with Aortic Disease
Tom Nguyen, M.D., FACS, FAC, chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and professor and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, is an internationally recognized cardiac surgeon and global leader in minimally invasive valve surgery.
According to Dr. Nguyen, these aortic diseases often progress quietly. In fact, many people with aortic disease don’t experience any warning signs until complications arise. “The greatest danger with aortic disease is often what you don’t feel. Silent progression can occur for years before symptoms suddenly appear,” he says.
As a result, early detection is the single most important factor for preventing tragic outcomes, adds Dr. Nguyen. “Aortic disease is often caught when a patient gets imaging for something unrelated, or through screening for patients considered to be at higher risk for the disease,” he explains.
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care physicians use advanced imaging technologies and personalized risk assessments to help detect and treat aortic disease. Screening tools such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and genetic testing allow them to spot a problem with the aorta before it becomes an emergency.
Who Is at Risk for Aortic Disease?
Bradley S. Taylor, M.D., MPH, chief of cardiac surgery for the North Region and chief of quality and outcomes at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, has more than 23 years of experience in all areas of adult cardiac surgery and treats more than 450 complex cardiac cases per year.
According to Dr. Taylor, there are five risk factors that can make development of aortic disease more likely:
· Age: Especially for those over 65
· Family History: Relatives with aortic aneurysms or heart disease
· Smoking: A major cause of vessel damage and aneurysm formation
· High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol: These conditions can weaken the aortic wall
· Genetic Conditions: Such as Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, genetic connective tissue disorders that affect the aorta and vessels, among other structures.
Symptoms of Aortic Disease: What to Watch For
Dr. Taylor says that aortic disease can be silent but when symptoms do appear, they require urgent medical attention. Some of the most common symptoms to watch for include:
· Sudden, intense chest or back pain
· Shortness of breath
· Difficulty swallowing
· Persistent cough or hoarseness
· Unexpected fainting or near-fainting spells
Dr. Taylor urges, “If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms—especially if you’re already at higher risk—seek emergency care immediately. Minutes matter in these situations.”
Innovations in Treating Aortic Disease: A New Era
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is leading the way in aortic disease management, thanks in large part to its commitment to innovation. In the past, open-heart surgery was the only way to repair the aorta. Now, Dr. Nguyen and his team address complex valve problems by focusing on the least invasive approach and tailoring each treatment to the patient’s unique needs.
According to Dr. Nguyen, Baptist Health physicians continue to pioneer the field, performing many first-in-man procedures – not just in Florida but worldwide. Many have developed new devices and techniques and performed medical “firsts,” he adds.
With the launch of the Center for Aortic Care at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, patients now have a multidisciplinary team of experts by their side in South Florida. “Our Center for Aortic Care is dedicated to providing patients the highest level of expertise and innovative treatments for aortic conditions,” says Dr. Nguyen.
Many patients benefit from less invasive techniques such as endovascular stent grafts and transcatheter valve procedures, which offer faster recovery and lower complication rates, Dr. Nguyen says. “Patients with minimally invasive procedures have decreased need for blood transfusions, a shorter hospital stay and ultimately a faster recovery.”
Taking Steps to Protect Your Aortic Health
Dr. Nguyen emphasizes that understanding your personal risk profile is essential for making informed healthcare decisions. “A significant number of patients who come into our care didn’t realize their genetic or lifestyle factors placed them at risk,” he says. “Awareness saves lives.”
There are five important steps you can take—at any age—to reduce your risk and support a healthy aorta, according to Dr. Nguyen:
1. Get Screened: If you’re over 50 or have a family history of aortic disease or related conditions, regular screenings may be recommended.
2. Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: These are major contributors to vessel health.
3. Quit Smoking: This remains one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your cardiovascular system.
4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and healthy body weight all play key roles.
5. Know the Signs: Be ready to act if symptoms suddenly arise.
Dr. Nguyen advocates for open conversations with your healthcare provider. “Staying on top of your risk factors and getting regular check-ups are powerful tools for prevention. Our goal at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care is to help you avoid emergencies by catching issues early.”
Click here to learn more about aortic valve disease screenings and treatments available at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care.
Tom Nguyen, M.D., FACS, FAC, chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and professor and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Bradley S. Taylor, M.D., MPH, chief of cardiac surgery for the North Region and chief of quality and outcomes at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care
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Tom C Nguyen, MD
Dr. Nguyen is an internationally recognized minimally invasive heart surgeon and believes that small incisions make a big difference. He is the System chief executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and chief medical executive of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, as well as director of minimally invasive surgery and the Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and chair and professor of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. In his role as Chief Medical Executive, he leads cardiac surgery, cardiology, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology for the 12-hospital health network.
His outcomes score in the top 98.7% in the national Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ (STS) database. Dr. Nguyen recently came from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where he was the chief of cardiothoracic surgery and Charles Schwab Distinguished Professor. During his tenure at UCSF, Dr. Nguyen helped transform cardiothoracic surgery, while establishing benchmark figures in quality, outcomes and research.
Dr. Nguyen graduated from Rice University and then worked in Switzerland at the World Health Organization. Although he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, he decided to pursue medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He says that there’s much poetry and music written about the heart, but that when he witnessed the panache of a heartbeat, he was hooked; therefore, he has dedicated the past 30 years to becoming the best heart doctor he can be. Dr. Nguyen completed his surgery training at Stanford, where he received the Outstanding ICU award and the Intern of the Year Award. He then completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia University as well as a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) fellowship at Emory. During this time, he was the President of the Thoracic Surgery Resident’s Association (TSRA).
Thanks to his passion for teaching and mentorship, Dr. Nguyen received the Benjy Brooks Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award, as well as teaching awards from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American College of Surgeons. He has volunteered as a surgeon across the globe and lived in Africa (Asmara, Eritrea) to share experiences with others.
Dr. Nguyen is active in research at a regional, national, and international level. He has published nearly 300 peer-reviewed articles, serves on the editorial boards of four academic journals and is the editor of several textbooks. Before turning 40, he received the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. Dr. Nguyen leads research trials on treatments for valve disease. He has been principal investigator on landmark trials exploring transcatheter technologies. He recently served as president of the 21st Century Cardiothoracic Surgery Society and is a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), CTSNet, and the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS).
As an immigrant growing up in America, Dr. Nguyen learned more than English by watching Saturday morning cartoons. He learned about dreams, mentorship, and serendipity. He appreciates that healthcare revolves not around models and formulas, but around people. He also appreciates that his success is not his own, but reflections from countless mentors and fortuitous events. Recognizing his good fortune, he vows to pay it forward. He strives every day to deserve the privilege of practicing medicine and is committed to treating patients like family.
Dr. Nguyen is married to Dr. Gina Landinez, an interventional radiologist, and is the proud dad of two beautiful daughters.
Bradley S Taylor, MD
Bradley Taylor, M.D., is a board-certified cardiac surgeon and chief medical executive at Christine E. Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute, as well as chief of cardiac surgery for the Palm Beach Region and chief of quality and outcomes of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care. He has more than 23 years of experience in all areas of adult cardiac surgery and treats more than 450 complex cardiac cases per year.
Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Taylor was an endowed professor and chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He also served as the director of quality, director of coronary revascularization and co-director of the Center of Aortic Disease at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Taylor’s clinical and research efforts have focused on such areas as robotic cardiac surgery, hybrid revascularization of coronary arteries, valvular heart disease and endovascular and open repair of aortic dissections and aneurysms. He has over 125 peer-reviewed articles in numerous medical journals and is considered an expert in the field of cardiac surgery.
As a clinical educator and member of several professional organizations, Dr. Taylor strives to further clinical excellence in cardiac surgery, promote clinical and basic science research efforts and develop the next generation of physicians through resident and fellowship training. He has received many awards for his clinical, teaching and research expertise, including being named a Top Doctor in the specialty of cardiac surgery by Baltimore magazine.
Dr. Taylor earned his medical degree and a master’s degree in public health at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He completed a general surgery residency and a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as well as a minimally invasive cardiac surgery fellowship at OLV Hospital in Aalst, Belgium.
Dr. Taylor is committed to providing patients with compassionate, high-quality care and maintaining a care environment that prioritizes excellence and patient safety.
