How do I prevent an aortic dissection and/or further growth of my aneurysm?

Here are a few tips to reduce your risk:

Control your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, get a home blood pressure measuring device to help you monitor and keep your blood pressure well controlled.
Don't smoke. Or, if you do, take steps to stop.
Maintain an ideal weight. Follow a low-salt diet and exercise regularly.
Watch your cholesterol. Keep your cholesterol levels within a range that is recommended by your doctor.
Continue low-impact exercise (eg brisk walking). Avoid high-impact exercise that significantly increases your blood pressure (eg weight training)
Wear a seat belt. This reduces the risk of traumatic injury to your chest area.
Keep your doctor well-informed. If you have a family history of aortic dissection, let your doctor know.

For more lifestyle recommendations, visit IRAD online.

Patients: We are committed to providing you with an appointment within 7 days of your request. For your convenience, Telemedicine Consults are available. If you have questions in the meantime, please Ask Our Experts.

Physicians: Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, to assist in the care of your patients and to facilitate urgent, emergent and elective transfers at the local, regional, national and international levels

Call 732-235-7231

About Dr. Russo

Aortic Aneurysms

TAVR

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Getting a second opinion can provide peace of mind and confidence that you have been diagnosed appropriately and understand of all your treatment options.

Send your non-urgent questions regarding your aortic, heart, and vascular conditions via email.

Mark J Russo, MD, MS
Chief, Cardiac Surgery
Director, Structural Heart Disease
Associate Professor of Surgery
Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Robert Wood Johnson
University Hospital
125 Paterson St
New Brunswick, NJ
08901
732-235-7231

Expert in Complex Aortic Disease, Valve Surgery, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR) , and Mitraclip

Dr. Russo performs the full range of cardiac surgery including Coronary Artery Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts; Bypass Surgery; CABG; Coronary Artery Surgery; Reoperation; Off Pump Bypass Surgery; Off Pump Heart Surgery; Valve Surgery - Aortic Valve Repair; Aortic Valve Replacement; Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement ; Reoperatve Heart Valve Surgery;; Endovascular and Hybrid Aortic Surgery; Transcatheter Valve Surgery - TAVR, TAVI, ViV, MVIV, valve-in-valve; Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery - Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement; Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery; Aortic Surgery - Aorta Surgery; Aortic Dissection; Complex Aorta Surgery; Valve Sparing Roots, Heart Surgery for Marfan Syndrome; Aortic Root Aneurysms; Ascending Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Arch Aneurysms; Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms; Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Dissections, including Type A Dissections and Type B Dissections; Native Aortic and Prosthetic Graft Infections, including Endocarditis; Congenital Aortic Disease, such as Marfan's syndrome and Loeys Dietz; Transplant Surgery - Heart and Lung. He was trained by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Craig Smith and Eric Rose. Read about Matt Millen undergoing Heart Transplant