Ascending Aneurysm - Surgery Experience and Recovery/Risk

Mine is at 4.0 and my cardiologist told me no lifting over 30 pounds. He said more reps with lighter weight were ok. He also said that anytime I’m lifting anything to make sure to exhale on the lift. The pressure on the aorta rises exponentially if you inhale or hold your breath when lifting. Hope that helps.

Like you I was told I had an AAA which measured 4cm. It was found by accident. I had a blood clot go into my kidney and while trying to find where the clot came from the AAA was found. After many tests the cardiologist said I should have annual checks and if the size reached 5cm they would discuss options. It didn’t sound like a big deal. One year went by and I was thinking I should be getting info about an appointment. It never came. Between extensive traveling and touching base ant home, I was checking why I didn’t have an appointment. At 1 year and 5 months, waiting for my approaching appointment I ended up in the ER and had an emergency double aortic dissection. It measured 4.5cm. I had 3 repairs. I don’t tell you this to scare you only to make you aware and listen to the signals your body gives you. Trust in the doctors is important. Even if mine was discovered at the appointment months before nothing probably would have been done. If I had to do it over I would take my blood pressure at home (once a day or 3 times a week) and not lift, pull or push heavy objects! Anything that causes you to hold your breath, strain, grunt or moan is considered heavy. However the cardiologist never thought that necessary. i had no medical problems, not a smoker, not a male, not overweight except for the same 20 lbs I always lose and gain. I didn’t fit the profile. It just happened. I will be coming up on 2 years this July. I walk, swim, do water aerobics, bike, but not anything that causes my blood to burst hard through my aorta. Ive adjusted my diet to concentrate on less fats and more fruited and veggies. Since surgery I did do a sleep study and now use a cpap. I was having 89 episodes while sleeping and my blood oxygen went as low as 64%. So maybe check those things to keep yourself as healthy as possible. Live your life. As your doctor for support. Even if you need support because you worry - reach out. I wish you the best. I am a rarity, each person is different. Be well and best wishes. cpj

My doc gave me a 30lb limit to lift and said the same, no lifting, pushing or anything that would make me strain. This shuts me down for living as I have all my life. I used to cut and split my own firewood. I used to do car restoration for income. There’s so much that I can’t do anymore and I don’t know why they have to wait until it’s a certain size to repair it. Would it not be better to do the surgery so I can be productive and before I get older and the body takes longer to heal? Every day is like playing Russian roulette. It’s amazing how often a person notices they hold their breath to do something when you are aware of it, just getting up out of bed or rolling over, or getting up out of a chair. I’ve lost a considerable amount of muscle mass, which I would think having the extra muscle would also be beneficial for recovery. I’m glad that your situation turned out like it did. Are you able to do the more strenuous things that you used to do before the aneurysm was a issue?

@legacyrock, @charlanepj and all... I'm 77 years old. An ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed several years ago and is now checked annually. Last year it was holding at 4.9. I now have a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm just found with a CAT scan checking the Splenic aneurysm I've had for several years as well...it's tiny but can be a problem, so Mayo vascular surgery is keeping watch with an annual CAT scan. They also found a Schorl node in L1 and eating its way into L2. Goody...

Now, I have an appointment next Monday with Physical Medicine and Rehab for discussion, legitimate diagnosing and treatment options for the schorl node. It appears to be the cause of my severe lumbar pain that increased the last several months, post covid infection in November 2023. Since then, I'm semi-bedridden or in the recliner most days due to the pain with activity. Also having numbness in arms, legs, etc.

The new descending aneurysm will be addressed with someone at some time. It's only 3.2, not considered an issue at that size apparently. The 4.9 ascending aneurysm is a problem and I have no idea how it will be addressed. The thoracic surgeon told me last year, after I insisted on an answer, that with my health issues and overall condition with my age, open heart surgery is not an option and he's not sure there is another one available with my limitations.

I have several autoimmune illnesses that flare regularly. I'm currently taking Prednisone and Methotrexate for PMR and GCA that hit me following the November 2023 Covid! Along with a flare of Sarcoid. It's been a trip for sure and I'm now scheduled for Long Covid Clinic with Mayo in April, neuro consult and additional testing-EMG, bloodwork, x-ray, and more. We'll see what all this brings.

Also, I know Mayo is a leader in aneurysm repair so I'll be interested to learn is there are new procedures that might be available for folks like me, with multiple medical issues otherwise negating surgery. Any new laproscopic procedures? Vascular? Other?

If any of you know these answers, please share with us. One thing I love about the Connect sites is the new friends we make and the sharing of information. What a dream to have folks experiencing similar situations with whom to share!

Blessings, Elizabeth

It is a lot that you are going through. Although Mayo is very good, I would get a second opinion at Cleveland Clinic because with these surgeries Mayo's outcomes in stroking are not as good as Cleveland. This means your chances of a stroke are higher at Mayo Clinic with these surgeries. The data shows it and personally my brother in law did stroke at Mayo. He was never quite the same. Cleveland Clinic is the number 1 in heart stuff.

The doctor told me do not lift weight or anything heavy aneurysm can enlarge.

Sorry hit send a little quick on above comment. Anyway after a CT scan Aortic Root showed 4.1 and not lifting more than 50lbs. 3 months later a CT scan with contrast showed the Root to be 3.7 and Doc said no restrictions. My question is why not take a few restrictions to keep it from growing????????????

I have the bicuspid valve and the ascending aortic aneurysm. March 6, 2024. I had the open heart surgery. During the surgery, they repaired the valve the aortic root, and they also replaced the aortic aneurysm with a sleeve. I was in the hospital for a week, which I will admit was a little rough, but the recovery has been quite easy. I have some restrictions until the end of May and I also go to cardiac rehab three days a week which really helps. They have been watching the aneurysm since 2016. I had a CT or an echocardiogram every year, this year they decided it had grown to the size that I needed to be operated on. They don’t go solely on the size of the aneurysm they take into account how fast it is growing and The size of the person. My aneurysm was measured anywhere between 4.7 and 4.9. I am a very slender woman, 5’2” and weigh about 102 pounds. I got three different opinions from thoracic surgeons. The two from Rapid City, South Dakota and the University of Colorado both said I was a ticking time bomb and the risk of dissection or rupture was higher than the risk of the surgery. I also got an opinion from Mayo Clinic and they just wanted to watch it. I did not see a surgeon Mayo or even talk to one, I only talked to the PA. Rapid City and Colorado, were insistent that I come into the office to talk to them about it, I’m glad I didn’t go with the mayo clinics recommendation but that’s just my opinion and experience. It is a definite relief to not have to worry about the aneurysm rupturing or dissecting. I wish you all the best.

So yours act shrunk from 4.1 to 3.7

Not sure if it shrunk or the second scan was much more clear so they could get a better read? I assume the latter.