I went for a routine echo for suspected kidney stones. The technician asked if I had ever had problems with my aorta... to which I replied no. She said... well you have now. She got another technician in to have a look, then I was asked to wait outside.

Our family suffered the devastating news that much loved Sallyann, who was mother, daughter, sister & Nannie, had passed away aged 54 from an aneurysm on her brain; this was unexpected and cruel.

In late 2020, I lost my beloved husband Aqeel to a sudden aortic dissection. He was just 33 years old.

Ercan was fighting fit, a fireman, a regular gym-goer with the physique to prove it.

I was busy in my day job and tried to ignore my persistent cough. In my fifties I had never really had any health problems other than the odd cold or 'flu. My Dad died in his early fifties but in those days we never knew what caused it other than 'something related to his heart'.