Carl Bayard of Rockville, Maryland, has always been proactive about his health. So when he heard about a program called Dare to C.A.R.E. (Carotid Artery, Abdominal Aorta, Renal Artery, Extremity Artery Disease), with The Heart Health Foundation (HHF), he decided to learn more. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by vascular surgeon, John Martin, MD, MBA, FACS, offers free screenings, education, and other preventive strategies in the fight against heart disease.
What Carl Learned
Carl considers himself incredibly lucky. This is because an ultrasound screening he received at HHF revealed a serious hidden health issue – an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA occurs when the aorta, the body’s largest artery, develops a bulge that gets progressively larger and fills with blood. The American Heart Association aptly describes the aorta as “The Pulse of Life,” carrying oxygen-rich blood to all areas of the body.
There are times when an AAA grows larger and starts to leak or rupture, starving blood vessels and causing life-threatening internal bleeding. The scary thing is that most AAAs are completely asymptomatic, meaning that patients aren’t even aware of the problem until they’re rushed to the hospital in a harrowing race against time for emergency medical care. This is why Carl was indeed very fortunate to learn about free cardiovascular screenings offered by HHF.
In Carl’s case, the screening revealed an AAA that was 3.2 centimeters in diameter and growing. Because it had not reached the high risk category of about 5 centimeters, Dr. Martin put him on a preventive strategy of getting ultrasound studies and exams every 6 months. Although his first screening was in 2003, he didn’t have surgery to correct the AAA until 2010, when it had grown to 5 centimeters. Was it hard for him to wait 7 years to have surgery? Not really, says Carl. He had full trust in his doctors and other healthcare professionals at HHF.
Risk Factors for AAA – Carl Doesn’t Fit the Mold
Carl is a Korean War veteran who subsequently became a diplomatic courier with the Foreign Service of the US State Department. During this illustrious 35-year career, he delivered top-secret information to American embassies all over the world. It was an often dangerous position in which he experienced a couple of plane crashes and (we’re guessing) other threats to life and limb. These experiences cemented his previous attitude of being very conscientious about his health.
So Carl doesn’t really ‘fit the mold’ of someone who might be at risk for heart disease. Actually, he’s one of those thrill-seekers who loves to hunt, fish, hike, and go camping. He and his wife, who he met in Germany, raised several English Springer Spaniels that joined in on their many outdoor adventures. Talking about exercise!
There are several risk factors for AAA, such as high blood pressure, family history of AAA, tobacco use, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). In Carl’s case, he feels that a family history of AAA might have been the culprit.
Early Detection is Key
Worldwide, AAA rupture leads to about 170,000 deaths annually. It’s considered a common condition in the US, occurring in about 1.4% of the US population between the ages of 50 and 84, or approximately 1.1 million people.6 This is why Dr. Martin and his colleagues emphasize the extreme importance of early detection of AAA and other cardiovascular diseases.
Carl is a perfect example of the positive impact of early detection. In his case, he was closely monitored and provided with various patient education resources. When it was time for surgery, it involved only an overnight stay in the hospital, going in at 6:00am and leaving by noon the next day. If the AAA had remained undetected, he might have died or been subjected to a long hospitalization and slow recovery. Instead, he went back to his big game hunts and other escapades with his English Springer Spaniels. Go Carl!
Carl’s Future (and Yours Too)
Carl is now 93 years old. His parents and other relatives lived well into their 80s, 90s, and 100’s. He’s determined to make it to at least 100. With Dare to C.A.R.E., along with his proactive attitude toward good health, we think he has a great chance of hitting that goal with verve and style.
And what about you?…
