Think Aorta, Think Family

Think Aorta, Think Family: Dr. Ben Youdelman on Aortic Disease, Screening, and Life-Saving SurgeryHost Erika welcomes longtime family friend Dr. Ben Youdelman, a cardiac surgeon specializing in aortic and endovascular aortic surgery at Maimonides Medical Center’s Aortic Center in Brooklyn. Youdelman explains what the aorta is, why aortic aneurysms and dissections are dangerous “silent” conditions often found incidentally, and how elective surgery risks compare with emergency dissection surgery. He emphasizes that aortic disease is genetic and urges families to share medical histories, seek screening, and establish regular care—especially men who often avoid doctors. Delman describes founding the Aortic Bridge support group and annual Brooklyn Bridge walk, discusses the significant mental health impact of aortic events including high PTSD rates from patient surveys, and highlights surgical advancements such as minimally invasive incisions and endovascular stent graft and branched devices.