Finnish driver Kovalainen did return for two more races to replace fellow countryman Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus Renault in 2013, but that was the last of him that was ever seen in F1.
He had no symptoms at the time and the problem was discovered in a check-up, which prevented him from competing in any more rounds of the Japanese Rally Championship due to the risk of a rupture.
"So we got the diseased part of the ascending aorta out and put an artificial graft in place," Kovalainen said in a video on his social media. "Everything went well, it was obviously a big operation.
"I was a couple of days after the operation feeling a bit rough, but things have improved a lot since then. I’m actually back at home now already recovering."
Now, seven-time champion Hamilton has shared his positive wishes with Kovalainen, saying: “Get well soon Heikki, praying for you.”