As someone who had Open Heart Surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm, they are no joke.
I was born with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve about 15 years after discovery, I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, one of the tests prior to surgery to repair the valve was a CT Scan with contrast that showed the aneurysm.
I was told at the time, I could have a less invasive procedure to fix the valve and 12-18 months later Open-heart surgery to repair the aneurysm or open-heart surgery immediately to repair the valve and aneurysm, I chose to have the open heart surgery immediately.
I learned that what makes aneurysms so dangerous is the person experiencing the aneurysm suffers no symptoms prior to a dissection or rupture and that aneurysms usually are found as a result of looking for something else.
I had an aortic dissection. First, I woke up with chest pains, was taken to the hospital but had not had a heart attack. I went back home and a couple of nights later, I woke up with an odd lower pack pain. I was taken to the hospital again and that is when they found the aorta dissection. So, I had symptoms but not obviously connected to the aorta. I was flown to Oklahoma City for the operation. And, you’re right, the operation and recovery really takes it out of you. I’ve been told by several people that I’m fortunate to still be here.
It’s pretty amazing to me that all that could be done on short notice way out here in fly-over country.
Precisely my case. I had lots of CT scans after my Whipple procedure. Enough views to show the aortic aneurysm. I was somewhat surprised when I had a referral to a vascular surgeon as follow-up to CT scans looking for problems in my liver and pancreas.