Cedars-Sinai Patient Survives a Silent Threat

Entertainment journalist Marc Malkin is accustomed to asking personal questions of others. But lately, he's been the one sharing details of his life.

In an essay published in Variety, Malkin revealed that soon after covering the 2025 Academy Awards, he underwent surgery at Cedars-Sinai for an aortic aneurysm. Malkin, 55, is now back on the red carpet, feeling stronger by the day and advocating for preventive heart health to anyone who asks.

Malkin wants to observe Aortic Disease Awareness Month in September by sharing his story far and wide to encourage people with high risk factors-family history, smoking or muscle disease-to consider seeing a physician for screening.

"I've always said if I can help one person, that makes it worth it," Malkin said.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the large artery that runs through the center of the body. Aortic aneurysms are often found incidentally, as Malkin's was. If an aneurysm grows to a certain size, it can tear or rupture-resulting in internal bleeding and even death.

"Marc's case is an example of how you can be young and healthy and have an aneurysm," said Dominick Megna, MD, surgical co-director of the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit and a cardiothoracic surgeon in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

Aneurysms are especially dangerous because they don't usually cause symptoms.

"Aneurysms can be asymptomatic and undiagnosed until rupture, which is why they're often referred to as a 'silent killer' or 'time bomb,'" said Ali Azizzadeh, MD, director of the Division of Vascular Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. "We encourage all patients with risk factors or family history to get screened."

Malkin had originally made an appointment with cardiologist Erika Jones, MD, to manage his high cholesterol and track his heart health. When Jones discovered an aortic root aneurysmin Malkin's chest, it caught everyone by surprise.

"I was really scared," Malkin said. "But both my cardiologist and surgeon said 'knowledge is power.

Malkin enrolled in the Aortic Surveillance Clinicin the Smidt Heart Institute and began meeting with surgeons, nurses and cardiologists. He underwent routine imaging and screening to measure the size of his aneurysm, which was growing to the point of requiring surgery.

"When an aneurysm grows to 5.5 centimeters in men or 5 centimeters in women, patients are usually referred for surgery," Megna said. "Some people choose to get surgery sooner to end their worry. Each patient and their care team can make treatment choices specific to their emotional and physical needs."

Malkin, the senior culture and events editor at Variety, was worried the surgery might put an end to the work he loves.

"I cried," Malkin said. "And I've admitted this before: I asked my surgeon if we could wait until after the Oscars."

Malkin underwent surgery about a week after the 2025 Academy Awards and today is focused on keeping himself healthy. He works out three times a week at the cardiac rehab center at Cedars-Sinai, where nurses and physical therapists monitor his heart activity. He encourages everyone he meets-celebrities and neighbors alike-to see a cardiologist if they have a family history of heart disease or any cardiac risk factors.

"I tell patients they won't feel totally differently physically, but mentally they'll know they've corrected something to prevent future catastrophe," Megna said.

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