1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 16, 2018

Welcome to the Aortic Aneurysms group on Mayo Clinic Connect.

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. The aorta begins deep in the heart as it emerges from the powerful left ventricle, gently arching over the heart, descending into the chest, and finally into the abdomen. Some aortic aneurysms can be harmless; others can lead to catastrophic problems. I invite you to follow this group and connect with others, share experiences, exchange useful information, and learn about aortic aneurysms.

Get started rby clicking the +FOLLOW icon on the group page here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aneurysms/

There are some great conversations going on right now that I think you’ll like. Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of your choice, and lets chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

houston13 | @houston13 | May 10 2:18pm
In reply to @pittsburghdad "Hello. New to forum. Male 57. In generally good health: competitive marathoner (ran Boston a couple..." + (show)
@pittsburghdad

Hello. New to forum. Male 57. In generally good health: competitive marathoner (ran Boston a couple of times) and rower for many years but with borderline blood pressure and cholesterol. Recently diagnosed with an enlarged ascending aorta (5.0 cm) as part of a precautionary calcium CT scan done as part of my annual physical. The news came as a bit of shock since I was without symptoms. Doctor says I can have a procedure now or monitor it every six months and wait until it reaches 5.5. I'd prefer the latter. Trying to figure out permissible physical activity ranges (heart rate limits and weight lifting limits). I saw some fairly recent research in JAMA (Association of Ascending Aortic Dilatation and Long-term Endurance Exercise Among Older Masters-Level Athletes) indicating my situation is not that unusual for competitive older athletes (i.e., 45% of Head of the Charles rowers who were screened had a similar condition). Would be curious to hear from others in a similar situation and what they have done.

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I was 54 when i had my surgery 4 years ago, I was in very good shape and exercised frequently (not as extreme as you), never smoked, they actually found my 5.2 Ascending AA after I broke my leg after falling from my MTB. Based on my body size (aneurysm was considred too large) and physical shape (minimum risk duing surgey) my surgeon encouraged me to have it fixed as soon as possible, had to wait unil my leg healed from surgery a bit since they want you walking right after. I actually wanted it done immediately, couldn't handle the stress of knowing I had a ticking bomb. The main thing you have to watch is your BP, they never said anything to me about Heart Rate, and they limited my weight lifting mainly because when you push we tend to hold our breath and during heavy exertion while holding your breath BP spikes puntually to very high levels (I shared a video in this forum, different discussion, of an expert explaining the reason and how high your BP can get to at that moment). of course I was also limited on my exercise due to my broken leg. The surgeon gave me >99% probability of no complications, I was out of the hospital in about 5 days, back to work in 3 weeks. I am back at exercising everyday with annual check ups (I have a bicuspid valve which contributed to the AAA) to check on my valve.

Hope everything goes well for you

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pittsburghdad | @pittsburghdad | May 11 6:44pm
In reply to @houston13 "I was 54 when i had my surgery 4 years ago, I was in very good..." + (show)
@houston13

I was 54 when i had my surgery 4 years ago, I was in very good shape and exercised frequently (not as extreme as you), never smoked, they actually found my 5.2 Ascending AA after I broke my leg after falling from my MTB. Based on my body size (aneurysm was considred too large) and physical shape (minimum risk duing surgey) my surgeon encouraged me to have it fixed as soon as possible, had to wait unil my leg healed from surgery a bit since they want you walking right after. I actually wanted it done immediately, couldn't handle the stress of knowing I had a ticking bomb. The main thing you have to watch is your BP, they never said anything to me about Heart Rate, and they limited my weight lifting mainly because when you push we tend to hold our breath and during heavy exertion while holding your breath BP spikes puntually to very high levels (I shared a video in this forum, different discussion, of an expert explaining the reason and how high your BP can get to at that moment). of course I was also limited on my exercise due to my broken leg. The surgeon gave me >99% probability of no complications, I was out of the hospital in about 5 days, back to work in 3 weeks. I am back at exercising everyday with annual check ups (I have a bicuspid valve which contributed to the AAA) to check on my valve.

Hope everything goes well for you

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Thanks for the feedback. They put me on BP meds and a beta blocker. I have 6 month CT scan coming up in September and will re-assess then based on the results. Most of my exercise has been aerobic/endurance oriented in nature and any weight work has been relatively low with only hand weights and TRX type straps.

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shoover2804 | @shoover2804 | May 12 6:18pm
In reply to @moonboy "It depends on your level of risk. My aorta dissected in 2015 at 50 years old...." + (show)
@moonboy

It depends on your level of risk. My aorta dissected in 2015 at 50 years old. I was in the hospital cardiac ICU for about three weeks with two weeks in a coma. Your chance of surviving skyrockets if they do a scheduled, non-emergent, surgery. Most people who have a sudden AA dissection don't survive it. John Ritter, Alan Thicke, Lucille Ball. Knowing what I now know, I would elect to have the surgery if its an option. That way, you can prepare all of your estate documents, organize things for your spouse, arrange work leave, etc. Basically, it's the difference between scheduled a tire replacement when you see the bulge, versus having it blow out at 75-mph on a busy freeway. I'll take the former. Having survived the latter, I can tell you I would never risk it again (not that I'm going to get the chance). The dissection pain itself was so excruciating that I cannot describe really. It was like someone was tearing the skin off my back. Moreover, it happened on a San Diego business trip 1,600 miles from Minneapolis. It caused great trauma to my wife and family. It was expensive and I barely survived. I had blood clots, memory loss, damage to my vocal chords from emergency intubation, and a $1.4 million hospital bill (all but $13K paid by my medical insurance).

So, if I had it to do all over again I would elect to have the scheduled surgery in my hometown, on my schedule, after I had completely prepared my wife, kids, and clients for what was to come. Talk with your doctor.

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I had no clue I had one. I had a routine echocardiogram because I told my dr I didn’t feel right. So glad I had it. It was 7.5 cm, had not dissected but they kept me in hospital and scheduled me for surgery. I am what they call their miracle superstar. I have had a great recovery process. May 13 makes me 8 weeks post surgery. I had no other complications and feel blessed that my team at IU Health Ball was so proactive.

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moonboy | @moonboy | May 12 6:48pm
In reply to @shoover2804 "I had no clue I had one. I had a routine echocardiogram because I told my..." + (show)
@shoover2804

I had no clue I had one. I had a routine echocardiogram because I told my dr I didn’t feel right. So glad I had it. It was 7.5 cm, had not dissected but they kept me in hospital and scheduled me for surgery. I am what they call their miracle superstar. I have had a great recovery process. May 13 makes me 8 weeks post surgery. I had no other complications and feel blessed that my team at IU Health Ball was so proactive.

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Good work. With the 7.5 mm that is an absolute disaster waiting to happen. I’m glad that you got through it. It gets better.

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shoover2804 | @shoover2804 | May 12 6:53pm

Thank you. Yes I retired 3 years ago and was planning on going on a trip overseas with friends. Thank goodness I had that echo before. I am very grateful.

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jpbrickman | @jpbrickman | May 14 12:16pm

Hello, I am 68, retired bricklayer, I live in North Centeral Washington(Wenatchee area). I was recetently diagnosed with thoractic aortic aneruysm from ct scan measuring 4.9. I have an apppointment with specialist on July 2(wait times here for appointments or procedures is long). My blood pressure has been historicly good(not great but not high). I feel like a walking time bomb. Have read to exercise but no strenuos stuff. Is it ok to load my tolling battery in and out of my truck? Is cranking the wynch to load my boat too much? How dangerous is the surgery? I live halfway between Seattle and Spokane, should I be seeking second opinions?

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ezpits | @ezpits | May 15 5:10pm

Just got diagnosed with a 4.2 cm fusiform aneurysm on ascending aorta. Very surprising as 6 years ago it wasn’t there and I am healthy 🙄. Very scary

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dgordillo | @dgordillo | May 15 11:03pm

I have a 4.6 cm ascending aortic aneurysm. So does my sister. Hers is 4.8cm. My father, his grandmother both dies from an aortic aneurysm.

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deedee525 | @deedee525 | May 16 8:21pm

Almost 75 year old with 4.6 cm thoracic aneurysm. I have aortic bicuspid valve with bicuspid and mitral valve mild regurgitation.My energy level is so low that I am considering surgery.
However I am on 4 BP drugs that causes loss of energy.
My husband and I have an active social life but I have so little energy now that it is difficult to keep it up.
Looking for other members’ experiences.

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janagain | @janagain | 6 days ago

Hello,
I'm 66yr old with 4.3 thoracic anerysim. I do not have aortic bicuspid. My Cardiologist told me to return in one year to repeat the images. My energy level is not what it was. I also have spinal stenosis multi level cervical, lumbar and S -1. The nerve is pinched in several locations and I'm awaiting surgery but first I am getting second opinions. My next appt for that is Monday. I'm also on B/P meds and diabetic. I find that some days are just better than others. I'm also a piano player/guitar and I'm playing in 2 bands. I love it but will have to take a break on that when my surgery gets scheduled. The recovery after fusing cervical multi level is going to take 6 months to a year. I'm retired now and having so much fun, I'll be happy to get the surgery and move on.
I also have a letter from my cardiologist and he's cleared me for surgery. How did they detect your aneurysm?

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