Sophia Sideris

Just months after her brother suddenly died from a tear in his aorta, Sophia Sideris discovered she had inherited a genetic risk factor responsible for her diagnosis with a similar life-threatening heart condition called an aortic aneurysm.

The condition occurs when a bulge forms in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If untreated, the aneurysm can rupture, leading to dangerous internal bleeding.

Luckily, Sophia didn’t wait to have her shortness of breath symptom checked out. Once genetic testing revealed her family link to the serious heart disease, she turned to advanced cardiac care specialists at Medical City Heart Hospital.

Sophia underwent surgery to replace a significant portion of her aorta, eliminating the immediate risk of rupture. Now, she urges others to listen to their bodies when something seems wrong.

“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Get it checked out,” Sophia says. “If I hadn’t gone to my doctor when I was having trouble breathing, I never would have known about my genetic risk for this condition.”

People with a family history of heart disease, those with unexplained heart issues, or those who have had a relative suddenly die from a heart-related cause may benefit from cardiac genetic testing. This can identify genetic mutations that put individuals at risk for heart disease, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment.

The Institute for Advanced Cardiac Care at Medical City Healthcare offers cardiac genetic testing and specialized treatment for complex heart conditions, including aortic aneurysm.

Learn more about the Institute for Advanced Cardiac Care or call (972) 940-9500.