Aortic Awareness in Singapore
Recognise warning signs, understand family risk and keep follow-up on track
Aortic awareness helps patients and families recognise an emergency, understand who may benefit from screening and keep track of a known aortic condition. Aortic Dissection Awareness Day on 19 September is a reminder to have these conversations throughout the year.
The aorta carries blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen. An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of part of this artery. A dissection is a tear that allows blood to separate layers of its wall. For diagnosis and treatment options, see the aortic disease guide.
Recognise warning signs and act
Call 995 in Singapore for sudden severe chest, back or abdominal pain, particularly with collapse, breathlessness or new weakness. Do not wait for a routine clinic visit or a reply to a message.
You do not need to diagnose the cause yourself. Tell the emergency team when symptoms started and mention any known aneurysm, previous dissection or aortic surgery. Aortic emergencies can resemble other serious conditions; prompt assessment matters more than trying to identify a particular pain description at home.
Know your personal and family history
Tell your doctor if a close relative has had an aortic aneurysm, dissection or unexplained sudden death. Some aortic conditions run in families. The type of disease and family history help determine whether relatives need imaging or genetic assessment.
Smoking history, blood pressure, age and associated medical conditions also inform risk assessment. Screening should answer a clinical question, with a plan for interpreting and following up the result.
Make follow-up part of everyday care
If you already have an aortic diagnosis, keep a record of your scan results, medications and next appointment. Know which part of the aorta is affected and who to contact about routine concerns. Feeling well does not replace scheduled imaging.
Discuss blood pressure management, help to stop smoking and suitable physical activity with your clinician. These steps support vascular health but cannot guarantee prevention of every aortic complication. After repair, continue the follow-up plan agreed with your treating team.
Explore follow-up after abdominal EVAR or thoracic TEVAR, and what aortic stent surveillance checks.
Questions patients and families often ask
Can an aneurysm be present without pain?
Yes. Many aneurysms are discovered incidentally or through screening. Absence of pain does not tell you whether an aneurysm is present, how large it is or whether it is changing.
Does everyone need a CT scan?
No. An abdominal ultrasound may be appropriate for aneurysm screening, while other aortic questions require different imaging. In an emergency, the clinical team chooses the investigation according to the suspected problem and your condition.
What should I ask at my next review?
What is my diagnosis, and has it changed since the last scan?
When is my next scan or appointment?
Does my family history mean relatives need assessment?
Which symptoms require emergency help?
Watch and read more from Dr Choong
For further background on Dr Choong's academic work, explore his vascular and aortic publications and book chapters and his approach to vascular research.
Discuss aortic concerns in Singapore
Dr Andrew Choong is the only Singapore-based member listed in the Montalcino Aortic Consortium’s official directory. His participation in international research on inherited aortic disease is documented by his named consortium collaborator credit in a 2024 Journal of the American Heart Association study.
Dr Andrew Choong is a vascular, endovascular and aortic surgeon. For a non-emergency discussion of an existing diagnosis, family history or second opinion, contact Andrew Choong Vascular Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. Sudden severe symptoms need emergency assessment rather than a planned consultation.
Lady Aorta
Lady Aorta was original conceived by an Italian aortic survivor. Click here to find out more.
National Patron of Singapore
Through his extensive global work with aortic patient advocacy groups, Andrew was honoured to be chosen as the national aortic patron of Singapore. Click here to read more about it on the Aortic Dissection Awareness Day Facebook page.
