A week before Malik Alexander-Dunham learned he had a life-threatening aortic aneurysm, he ran a 5K in full firefighter turnout gear, including his pack.

He was 24 years old, had no symptoms and felt healthy.

He also nearly skipped the routine occupational medical exam that detected the condition.

"I was honestly contemplating skipping the life scan," said Alexander-Dunham, a firefighter-paramedic with DeLand Fire Rescue. "The exam includes bloodwork, an MRI, ultrasound and a physical once every two years."

The timing may have saved his life.

After evaluation in the ER at AdventHealth DeLand, Alexander-Dunham learned the aneurysm was larger than first thought.

"I had to realize that this was real, this was happening."

He was flown aboard Flight 1, AdventHealth's air-medical helicopter, to AdventHealth Orlando for surgery.

"First, I cried, and I had to realize that this was real, this was happening, and there's nothing that I can do to change it," Alexander-Dunham said.

He did not fit the picture many people might associate with a serious aortic condition.

"He was a young guy, very energetic. He was a firefighter, very active," said Ioannis Loumiotis, MD, a cardiac surgeon and director of aortic surgery at the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute.

"He had no symptoms, and all of a sudden, he discovers that he has a massive, life-threatening problem."

Alexander-Dunham said he remembers the way his care team spoke with him and kept him informed.

"AdventHealth saved my life."

He said Dr. Loumiotis explained the surgery and brought confidence that helped him understand what came next.

Friends filled his hospital room. His mother stayed close.

"I knew we were close, but I didn't realize all this close. Just seeing the room just fill up and them staying there for hours, that was huge," he said.

"It's allowed me to approach life, work, family, friends in a different perspective, in a different way," Alexander-Dunham said about returning to work after rehab. "It's allowed me to come back with more of a different type of hunger, a different type of respect for life, and it's made me want to live more and do more with what I'm happy with."

"AdventHealth saved my life. I feel lucky that I get essentially a second chance, and I definitely won't let it go to waste," he added.

Hear more of Alexander-Dunham's story by watching the video at the top of this article.

Aortic aneurysms affect an estimated 1 in 625 people. Aortic Disease Awareness Month is observed every September to help people understand their risk and the importance early detection.

Learn more about cardiac care at the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute.