A defect in the aorta is life-threatening if left untreated. The timely diagnosis puts the trump cards in the hands of formula star Heikki Kovalainen.
Heikki Kovalainen was diagnosed with dilation of the ascending aorta. Surgery is likely ahead. Inka Soveri
Racing driver Heikki Kovalainen told Iltalehte that he was diagnosed with dilation of the ascending aorta.
A serious health problem was revealed during a routine medical check-up in November of last year.
– The idea was to check that no bigger problem was found, but then this one was revealed, Kovalainen tells Iltalehte.
Dilation of the aorta, or aortic aneurysm, is no joke. It can lead to a rupture of the aorta. The chances of surviving a tear are almost non-existent.
The cause can be congenital or it can be related to the bulging caused by arterial disease, i.e. atherosclerosis.
Kovalainen told Iltalehte that enlargement of the aorta had occurred in his family before.
A patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm is usually completely asymptomatic before the aorta ruptures.
However, the tragic outcome can be avoided if the risk is diagnosed early enough. With surgery, the risk of aortic rupture can be reduced.
Kirka died
Kirka died of a ruptured aorta in 2007. IL ARCHIVE
Despite his scary diagnosis, Kovalainen approaches his situation with confidence.
– The probabilities are on my side, the formula star says.
Rupture of the aorta took the singing legend Clear or Kirill Babitzin to the grave at only 56 years old. Although Kirka consulted a doctor, the aortic dilation was not diagnosed. It was the fate of the singer.
A football journalist from the United States recently experienced the same fate Grant Wahl At the World Cup in Qatar 2022. The 48-year-old Wahl had a seizure in the middle of the match between Argentina and the Netherlands. They tried to revive him at the stadium for 20 minutes, but without success.
Many have been happier. A football legend By Atik Ismail was diagnosed with aortic dilatation at an older age. In open surgery in 2019, a plastic aorta was replaced in his heart to replace the old one.
Model from Nummi
Teppo Numminen returned to the top after his own heart operation. Zdenek Matejovsky
A hockey legend Teppo Numminen he underwent heart surgery three times during his career. A congenital valve defect caused an enlargement of the aorta, similar to the one in Kovalainen.
After heart surgery and a long recovery, Numminen returned to the puck rink at the top of the sports world.
In the same way, Kovalainen plans to return to motor racing. Kovalainen, a 42-year-old F1 race winner and World Championship scorer in rallying, is not yet ready to put on his driving gloves.
– The probabilities are on my side. However, if it happens that I can’t continue racing despite the operation, then so be it. Johan has come a long way here, says Kovalainen.
– My primary goal is to get back to a normal life.
Kovalainen urges people to go to the doctor and get themselves examined. Early detection of aortic dilatation can save a life.
– Usually, this problem is symptomless, except when it first comes. And that’s the last one, Kovalainen refers to the rupture of the aorta and the almost certain death that follows.