How high blood pressure led to a devastating aortic dissection

Published: 15 May 2026

Sue had always thought she was doing the right things for her health. She didn’t smoke, rarely drank alcohol, and had followed a vegetarian diet for nearly 50 years. But beneath the surface, high blood pressure was quietly building, with devastating consequences.

Sue spent most of her working life in public service roles focused on dispute resolution and mediation and while the work was enjoyable, the stress was constant. 

She had lived with health challenges before, but blood pressure wasn’t something she worried about.

“I had no idea I had a problem,” she says. “I never thought of myself as someone at risk.”

In February 2024, after a hectic summer balancing work and helping to care for her mother, who lived with dementia, Sue went into the office feeling exhausted.

Sitting at her desk with a cup of tea, she was suddenly struck by an excruciating, band-like pain across her forehead. Moments later she lost her vision. 

Her vision gradually started to return. With the help of a workmate Sue managed to call her GP surgery, who told her to dial 111 immediately. When paramedics arrived, they couldn't find a pulse in her right arm, and she was rushed to hospital.

There, doctors diagnosed her with a Type A aortic dissection – a rare, life-threatening condition where a tear forms in the wall of the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart.

High blood pressure is one of the most significant risk factors for an aortic dissection. In Sue’s case, it is likely her blood pressure had been elevated for some time without clear warning signs.

Fully conscious, doctors told her, “You could die before we get you to theatre”.

“I rang my husband to say goodbye,” she says. “I told him I loved him. I asked him to tell my daughter and family the same, just in case I didn't make it".

Emergency open heart surgery followed. Sue woke in intensive care the next day.

Only later did she learn how close she had come to dying. The surgeon told her the entire upper section of her aorta had been replaced with a graft. Sue feels lucky her heart valves were spared, and she had no neurological injury or damage to other organs.

“If I’d been at home on my own, it could have been a different outcome. I will be forever grateful to the ED team, cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Indran Ramanathan and his surgical team, and everyone else who helped to save my life.  ”

Looking back, Sue said there had been no obvious red flags she had high blood pressure, only a very mild headache in the days before the event.

“Not once did I think to check my blood pressure. There were no warnings. I was totally unaware that I had any blood pressure issues.”

She was discharged after a week and returned home on blood pressure medication, now essential to protect her repaired aorta and reduce the risk of another dissection.

Now 67, Sue lives with heightened awareness of her blood pressure. She checks it regularly, works closely with her GP and in the first year worked with a hypertension specialist. 

“One thing I repeat when I take my readings is, ‘Breathe in hope, breathe out fear,’” she says.

Sue decided to retire from her job a few years earlier than planned.  She uses mindfulness techniques to manage stress.  She regularly sees an exercise physiologist to get a safe exercise programme.  This guidance has enabled her to recently join a slower paced women's tramping group.   

She appreciates the support and work of the Heart Foundation, support group Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Support Group ANZ, and Think Aorta.   

Her message to others is simple: don’t assume you’re fine.  

“High blood pressure can be silent,” Sue says. “You can feel well, live well, and still be at serious risk. Knowing your blood pressure numbers and managing stress isn’t optional – it can save your life.”