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.

sktaylor67 | @sktaylor67 | May 18 10:23am
In reply to @janagain "Hello, I'm 66yr old with 4.3 thoracic anerysim. I do not have aortic bicuspid. My Cardiologist..." + (show)
@janagain

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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CT scan. Mine is a 3 cm. I’m educating myself on aneurysms. Don’t know much about them.

REPLY
jmmg | @jmmg | May 18 5:29pm

Hi I'm also 67 and my aneurysm is 4.1 or 4.5 depending on which doctor reviews the reports! First doctor says bicuspid and second doctor says not bicuspid. Very frustrating. Mine was found while being treated for breast cancer with MRI. I wasn't even notified of it until 7 months later. Talk about scary. I've had two doctors tell me the two different sizes. Second doctor said I need a "gated CTA" scan because it is more accurate. Not sure I can get first doctor (insurance doctor) to approve the special CTA scan. I'm set for a regular CT scan in September. Might change insurance so I can go to the second opinion doctor. Hope you are well

REPLY
1 reply
houston13 | @houston13 | May 19 12:12am
In reply to @jmmg "Hi I'm also 67 and my aneurysm is 4.1 or 4.5 depending on which doctor reviews..." + (show)
@jmmg

Hi I'm also 67 and my aneurysm is 4.1 or 4.5 depending on which doctor reviews the reports! First doctor says bicuspid and second doctor says not bicuspid. Very frustrating. Mine was found while being treated for breast cancer with MRI. I wasn't even notified of it until 7 months later. Talk about scary. I've had two doctors tell me the two different sizes. Second doctor said I need a "gated CTA" scan because it is more accurate. Not sure I can get first doctor (insurance doctor) to approve the special CTA scan. I'm set for a regular CT scan in September. Might change insurance so I can go to the second opinion doctor. Hope you are well

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It is very important to know for sure if you have a bicuspid valve or not, I am amazed they are even doubting or contradicting each other, any good cardiologist should be able to tell you without doubts (cardiology 101). Usually an echocardiogram would tell them. Having a bicuspid valve greatly raises the possibilty of developing an aneurysm, and bicuspid valves are subject to deterioration and needing replacement later in life.

I had both and AAA and bicuspid valve, the AAA was fixed (open heart surgery) the bicuspid valve although slightly deteriorated was left in place as it still could last 10 years+, but I need to monitor it every year with an echo, it will have to be replaced at some point. There are also measures I need to take to protect it and extend its life, like taking antibiotics when going to the dentist as they are very vulnerable to infections.

It is important you see the right specialist that not only gives you the right info about your aneurysm but the health of your heart and valves.

REPLY
3 replies
sktaylor67 | @sktaylor67 | May 19 12:24am
In reply to @houston13 "It is very important to know for sure if you have a bicuspid valve or not,..." + (show)
@houston13

It is very important to know for sure if you have a bicuspid valve or not, I am amazed they are even doubting or contradicting each other, any good cardiologist should be able to tell you without doubts (cardiology 101). Usually an echocardiogram would tell them. Having a bicuspid valve greatly raises the possibilty of developing an aneurysm, and bicuspid valves are subject to deterioration and needing replacement later in life.

I had both and AAA and bicuspid valve, the AAA was fixed (open heart surgery) the bicuspid valve although slightly deteriorated was left in place as it still could last 10 years+, but I need to monitor it every year with an echo, it will have to be replaced at some point. There are also measures I need to take to protect it and extend its life, like taking antibiotics when going to the dentist as they are very vulnerable to infections.

It is important you see the right specialist that not only gives you the right info about your aneurysm but the health of your heart and valves.

Jump to this post

I work at a fire house running on the medic. Lots of lifting and carrying people. With your aneurysms do you have a weight limit that you can pick up? I’ve read where ppl have weight limits on what they can pick up. My Dr. says I don’t need any restrictions unless it grows bigger.

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2 replies
houston13 | @houston13 | May 19 1:31am
In reply to @sktaylor67 "I work at a fire house running on the medic. Lots of lifting and carrying people...." + (show)
@sktaylor67

I work at a fire house running on the medic. Lots of lifting and carrying people. With your aneurysms do you have a weight limit that you can pick up? I’ve read where ppl have weight limits on what they can pick up. My Dr. says I don’t need any restrictions unless it grows bigger.

Jump to this post

Hi I can only speak for what I learned as I have gone through this journey with excellent Drs. As far as i understand the limit on weight lifting has more to do with controlling your BP, high BP is the worst enemy of Aneurysms. Exerting while lifting sometimes drives people to hold their breath to tighten the core to support the weight, it is very common when weight lifting (bench press, etc) for example. If the weight is relatively heavy the effort is even stronger while holding breath, at that moment BP can rise significantly for a short period and that is dangerous when having an aneurysm. Think about the effort that you exert while lifting those weights at work and whether you hold your breath and have to push yourself. That varies so much that in general Drs just say limit weight lifting to 30 lbs or so to be safe.

Again, I’m not a Dr but workout frequently and asked a lot of questions to my Cardiologist and Surgeon, to ensure I was doing it safely. Before surgery I limited weight and intensity of workouts, After my surgery 4 yrs ago i restarted working out and today I’m pretty much back to normal, I’m still careful though. You should ask your cardiologist based on your specific situation at work

REPLY
kkohl | @kkohl | May 19 6:09pm

Hi - my thoracic ascending aortic Aneurysm was found following my first AFib incident. Meds, monitor, scan, and daily BP for a year and a half. Ascending Aneurysm has now grown to 5. Preop tomorrow at Seattle Heart Institute at the University of Washington Medical Center, with surgery scheduled for June 5th. The surgeon and cardiologist agree with the need for surgery. At 76, I'm generally in good health. Walking daily, eating well...mostly, retired from a high-stress job, hoping I can enjoy a mostly normal life following the surgery. At the moment, however, I'm suffering from high anxiety over what could go wrong and a protracted, painful recovery.

REPLY
3 replies
mustangsally67 | @mustangsally67 | May 20 7:32am
In reply to @kkohl "Hi - my thoracic ascending aortic Aneurysm was found following my first AFib incident. Meds, monitor,..." + (show)
@kkohl

Hi - my thoracic ascending aortic Aneurysm was found following my first AFib incident. Meds, monitor, scan, and daily BP for a year and a half. Ascending Aneurysm has now grown to 5. Preop tomorrow at Seattle Heart Institute at the University of Washington Medical Center, with surgery scheduled for June 5th. The surgeon and cardiologist agree with the need for surgery. At 76, I'm generally in good health. Walking daily, eating well...mostly, retired from a high-stress job, hoping I can enjoy a mostly normal life following the surgery. At the moment, however, I'm suffering from high anxiety over what could go wrong and a protracted, painful recovery.

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You got this. You will do amazingly well. Keep the faith. Sending healing prayers 🙏💕💕

REPLY
1 reply
sktaylor67 | @sktaylor67 | May 20 9:02am
In reply to @sktaylor67 "I work at a fire house running on the medic. Lots of lifting and carrying people...." + (show)
@sktaylor67

I work at a fire house running on the medic. Lots of lifting and carrying people. With your aneurysms do you have a weight limit that you can pick up? I’ve read where ppl have weight limits on what they can pick up. My Dr. says I don’t need any restrictions unless it grows bigger.

Jump to this post

My Dr. told me the same thing that i had no restrictions until it got bigger. Makes no sense to me though. I work at a firehouse too.

REPLY
sktaylor67 | @sktaylor67 | May 20 10:29am
In reply to @houston13 "It is very important to know for sure if you have a bicuspid valve or not,..." + (show)
@houston13

It is very important to know for sure if you have a bicuspid valve or not, I am amazed they are even doubting or contradicting each other, any good cardiologist should be able to tell you without doubts (cardiology 101). Usually an echocardiogram would tell them. Having a bicuspid valve greatly raises the possibilty of developing an aneurysm, and bicuspid valves are subject to deterioration and needing replacement later in life.

I had both and AAA and bicuspid valve, the AAA was fixed (open heart surgery) the bicuspid valve although slightly deteriorated was left in place as it still could last 10 years+, but I need to monitor it every year with an echo, it will have to be replaced at some point. There are also measures I need to take to protect it and extend its life, like taking antibiotics when going to the dentist as they are very vulnerable to infections.

It is important you see the right specialist that not only gives you the right info about your aneurysm but the health of your heart and valves.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the info!!’

REPLY
sktaylor67 | @sktaylor67 | May 20 10:31am
In reply to @mustangsally67 "You got this. You will do amazingly well. Keep the faith. Sending healing prayers 🙏💕💕" + (show)
@mustangsally67

You got this. You will do amazingly well. Keep the faith. Sending healing prayers 🙏💕💕

Jump to this post

Sending u prayers. Try to think positive thoughts.

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