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Dilated thoracic aorta

Posted by kaceyheat3415 @kaceyheat3415, May 20 11:25am

I am a female and 47 years old. I was recently diagnosed with 4.1 dilation. I am scared to death. It has been 8 months since diagnosed and I go back on Thursday to have it checked. I have changed my life completely. Lost 35 pounds and stopped running completely along with my races. I have so many questions. Would they do an elective surgery instead of living with the stress of what might happen? Also all my other heart reports are good. I have no known history of anyone having this. Could this have happened cause of my extensive running and weight lifting.

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moonboy | @moonboy | May 21 11:24am
In reply to @wyomingmiller208 "That ICU picture is my nightmare scenario. I have panic attacks thinking about not being able..." + (show)
@wyomingmiller208

That ICU picture is my nightmare scenario. I have panic attacks thinking about not being able to breathe because of stuff down my throat. I hope you were sedated the whole time.

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I was in a coma. You can breathe just fine. They will take very good care of you. Knowing what I know now, I would have elected to have the surgery BEFORE it ruptured. Elective surgery always has a better outcome than emergent surgery. It's okay to be scared but it's important to be smart. You family loves you and needs you healthy. A surgeon who is not dealing with a dissection crisis has a much better chance of helping you by having all of the necessary tools, staff, sleep, and resources to give you a great outcome. There are risks no doubt, but on balance I would not suggest waiting if your doctor has told you you need surgery. You'll be fine.

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wyomingmiller208 | @wyomingmiller208 | May 21 12:00pm
In reply to @moonboy "I was in a coma. You can breathe just fine. They will take very good care..." + (show)
@moonboy

I was in a coma. You can breathe just fine. They will take very good care of you. Knowing what I know now, I would have elected to have the surgery BEFORE it ruptured. Elective surgery always has a better outcome than emergent surgery. It's okay to be scared but it's important to be smart. You family loves you and needs you healthy. A surgeon who is not dealing with a dissection crisis has a much better chance of helping you by having all of the necessary tools, staff, sleep, and resources to give you a great outcome. There are risks no doubt, but on balance I would not suggest waiting if your doctor has told you you need surgery. You'll be fine.

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My cardiologist is in a wait and see mode. My aneurism is growing. Next echo is August.

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kaceyheat3415 | @kaceyheat3415 | May 21 1:14pm
In reply to @chrisn61 "Yes, I went in because of my brother's heart attack. We also had an uncle who..." + (show)
@chrisn61

Yes, I went in because of my brother's heart attack. We also had an uncle who died suddenly when he was in his early 40's - no autopsy so we don't know the actual cause even though it was called a heart attack. I reached out to a therapist to talk about this as it feels like a double whammy- grieving the loss of my brother and worried if I have what he may have had. I've reached a place where I'm still very proactive on understanding the issues- but not nearly as anxious as I was initially. Do you have mychart or something like that? I've been able to get my results ahead my dr visit follow ups. I am also going to be getting a DNA test for genetic markers for this. The testing won't be conclusive if nothing shows up- but if I do have the marker they will likely suggest operating sooner. How is your blood pressure? That is the thing that increases risk with this. Mine has never been high, butI've been able to bring it down about 10 points with diet and exercise so far. I will find out if the cardiologist thinks I should go on meds to lower it even more when I talk to him on Thursday. I've been able to do all my follow up visits with Mayo virtually so far.

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Wow that is a lot to take on all at once. I am so sorry to hear about your uncle too. I do appreciate all the information you are sharing with me. It is very helpful.
My cardiologist has not given me the option to look at my information online. I will ask though. They said they will mail me a letter. So frustrating. I check my blood pressure daily. It runs around 112/72. It has never been high.
What kind of blood tests are they running?
I feel lost as far as information o have gotten from my cardiologist. I was basically told, I am healthy and no backgrounds so it will probably just remain the same size. Then sent on my way. I did have my primary send a referral to the the surgeon so hopefully he will be more helpful. And I will also find out soon if it has grown.

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jlbpainting | @jlbpainting | May 22 1:53pm

KH, I met with my future cardiac surgeon last week at UCSF. He showed me my CT scan images and explained the difference between dilation and Aneurysm with respect to our aorta. Dilation size is the size of the aortic "hose", in my case 3.7mm and the same size all the way up; Aneurysm is a weakened area of the aorta which begins to bulge outward, thinning the aorta wall and potential for rupture. Seeing the images has calmed me a lot knowing I am not dealing with an aneurysm.
Disclaimer: I'm no doctor, take with a grain of salt.

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