Texas Health Denton

Visit TexasHealth.org/GoRed to read more heart disease survivors' stories and find information about heart health and conditions. Small Tear = Big Trouble Sally Walls didn't realize it at the time, but the symptoms she experienced at lunch one day in July 2012 — an intense burning sensation in her chest followed by unconsciousness — were signs of a potentially lethal rip in the layers of the wall of the aorta, the artery that sends blood on its way to most of the body. Known as aortic dissection, a split in one of the aortic wall layers can allow blood to leak between the other sheets, leading to pooling or abnormal flow, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk for aortic dissection increases with age, and high blood pressure and hardened arteries also heighten vulnerability. Aortic aneurysm — swelling of the aorta, another serious condition — can lead to, or be the result of, aortic dissection. Aortic dissection typically occurs without warning. If you experience any of the following indicators, don't waste a second — call 911: • abnormal pulse • change in breathing • fainting • nausea • pale, clammy skin • severe pain beginning in the chest and spreading to the shoulders, back and limbs ost concussions we see are in athletes who play high-contact sports, such as football, soccer or cheerleading, or in car accident victims," says Damond Blueitt, M.D., a sports medicine specialist with the Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and Concussion Center. "Not all concussions cause unconsciousness. Other common symptoms include trouble concentrating, nausea, headaches, mood disorders and sleeping issues." PRIORITY ONE Accurate diagnosis is the No. 1 priority of physicians like Dr. Blueitt. Once a concussion is identified, patients can prevent further damage by avoiding trauma and giving the brain a chance to rest and recuperate. "At the Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and Concussion Center, we take thorough patient histories, perform physical examinations and use neurological testing to identify concussions," Dr. Blueitt says. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about if you think you may have a concussion, so don't hide the symptoms. We work closely with the patients' schools and families to prevent reinjury and get the athletes back to baseline functionality as soon as possible." The center also organizes educational programs at local schools to teach athletic trainers how to prevent, identify and address concussions, and how to comply with Natasha's Law — which requires coaches in Texas to keep students out of the game if there is a potential concussion. for Concussions All it takes is a bump, jolt or sudden shock that rocks the head to cause a concussion, a kind of traumatic brain injury that responds well to treatment if it is detected early. " m Car To learn more about Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and Concussion Centers, visit TexasHealth.org/BenHogan. "I was so very, very scared, not of dying — I didn't know how serious the situation was — but of having surgery," Sally remembers. "'Would you all please pray with me?' I asked. Everyone, even the physicians and nurses, placed their hands on me, which was just the most loving thing, and we prayed. That meant so much to me." CAUSE FOR AMAZEMENT Sally's next memory is waking up in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, the incision on her chest attesting to her newly repaired aorta. Her recovery included a few bumps — a reaction to the wires used to hold her sternum together until it healed necessitated surgery to remove them in the winter of 2013, followed by wound healing therapy — but today, life is good. "The care I received at Texas Health Plano was remarkable," Sally says. "Everyone treated me as if I were family — even off-duty staff would visit me just to sit and talk. I had an amazing experience." Beain the Odds 7 TexasHealth.org

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