A leading cardiologist has warned that some everyday habits could be silently putting people at risk of developing a deadly aortic aneurysm.
Dr Evan Levine, a board-certified cardiologist from Scarsdale, New York, has shared a viral Instagram post revealing ten common behaviours he sees regularly contributing to aneurysms.
An aortic aneurysm is a dangerous ballooning of the body’s main artery. If it bursts, it can cause massive internal bleeding and sudden death, often without warning.
From gym routines to popular medications, many of the risky activities are things most people might not think twice about.
‘These are all things I see over and over again in my patients,’ Dr Levine told his 92,000 followers.
While some risk factors are genetic, Dr Levine stressed that many are self-inflicted. And for him, there’s one clear offender that tops the list, and that’s taking cocaine.
‘[It’s] just jet fuel. It’s a drug to drive the aorta larger [and] it sickens you – don’t ever do it,’ he said in the clip.
Even occasional use can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure that put immense strain on artery walls.
Leading US cardiologist, Dr Evan Levine, has warned that some everyday habits could be silently putting people at risk of developing a deadly aortic aneurysm
But cocaine isn’t the only vice wreaking havoc on arteries, with Dr Levine describing smoking as ‘cocaine light’, as it drives up blood pressure, damages arteries and causes cholesterol build-up.
And for those who have switched to e-cigarettes and vapes, his message is still a firm no as they’re all as bad as each other.
Even seemingly ‘healthy’ behaviours can become risky under the wrong circumstances. Intense heavy lifting, for example, can rapidly spike blood pressure and stress the aorta, particularly in older gym-goers.
‘I’m not talking about good quality resistance exercises,’ he clarifies.
‘But the dude in the corner of the gym who’s screaming out his lungs to get the 400lb weight up, it’s not good.’
Medications are another overlooked risk with Dr Levine warning that overusing fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin can weaken the inside of blood vessels and make them more prone to aneurysms.
‘Thank you for bringing up fluoroquinolone antibiotics,’ one grateful follower commented.
‘Most doctors let alone patients don’t even know how dangerous they are and that they should only be used as a last resort.’
An aortic aneurysm is a deadly swelling of the main artery, often fatal if it bursts. While genetics play a role, Dr Levine says many risks are self-inflicted – with cocaine the worst culprit
He’s also increasingly concerned about the long-term use of stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, often prescribed for ADHD.
‘I’m seeing people in their 40s with unexplained enlarged aortas and the first thing I do is check what meds they’re on.
‘Too often those drugs can increase your blood pressure and increase the risk of aneurysm. Only take them if you need to, and not for decades.’
In recent years, many people have wound up in cardiology clinics after following medical misinformation spread online.
Dr Levine is alarmed by the number of patients abruptly quitting statins or blood pressure medication because of what they’ve seen on TikTok.
Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver and increase the liver’s ability to remove cholesterol from the blood.
He even warns that ‘healthy’ habits like heavy lifting can be risky, as they may spike blood pressure and strain the aorta, especially for older gym-goers
He warned that quitting stations will ‘increase your cholesterol, inflammation and increase your risk of aneurysms.’
Similarly, he warned against avoiding blood pressure tablets because of outdated ideas that it’s ‘normal’ for pressure to rise with age.
‘That was thought about 60 years ago, [and] it’s wrong.’
Dr Levine also warns about lifestyle habits that gradually erode cardiovascular health over time.
Heavy drinking raises blood pressure and triglycerides and increases the risk of aneurysms, especially in the brain.
A junk food-heavy diet, loaded with salt and calories, contributes to obesity and hypertension, compounding the danger.
And surprisingly, even not eating enough fibre can play a role too, with resultant constipation and straining during bowel movements increasing aneurysm risk and even triggering ruptures.
The seriousness of the condition hit home for one follower, who shared her health scare at just 21 years old.
‘I was completely perfectly healthy with zero health conditions and I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. It can happen to anyone at any time.’
‘Thank God coffee was not on the list because I’d be doomed if it was,’ another joked.
A neurologist and neuroscientist even chimed in with a stark reminder of cocaine’s dangers beyond the heart:
‘Cocaine also destroys irreversibly the nerve endings of the nerve synapses. Absolute permanent destruction,’ they urged.
Ultimately, Dr Levine stressed that illness due to aneurysms is often preventable if people take their cardiovascular health seriously.
