Living with AAA 4.3

I survived a type one complete aortic dissection in 2015. what you’re describing appears to be probably the aneurysm pressing against your esophagus. There is not a lot of space inside there, and as the aneurysm grows, it will inevitably press against your esophagus if it gets large enough. That sense of your heart being in your throat comes from the enlarged aorta. Your doctor may not understand this phenomenon or be aware of it because they’ve never had an aortic dissection, but take it from somebody who has what your describing is exactly what I feel every day. If you have an opportunity to look at your CT scans in high resolution, you can ask your Cardiologist or thoracic surgeon to show you those structures within your anatomy. I Have a residual blood clot and a false lumen next to my heart that presses against my esophagus and makes it difficult for me to swallow sometimes. I would get in and see your doctor right away. I suspect that if you’re starting to feel something different inside your chest, that means that something is changing inside your chest. Peace.

I'd say it's time to make a bit of a nuisance of yourself with your cardiologist. I'm no doctor but it sounds to me as if you need attention. Good luck and let us know how things go.

Your comments are always so helpful.

Hey thanks. I really wish I had this as a resource in 2015, but I am committed to being as helpful to other aortic patients as I can. Thanks for your kindness.

Firstly, thank you so much for your response to me and your ongoing support to so many others within this group. Sharing your insight was so valuable to me personally during such a stressful time. I thank you again for that.

Yes, something is definitely different with me as of recent. I plan on lightening up on my activity until I’m back in my home State. To make matters worse I am traveling and can’t wait to get back home. Thankfully not flying. I am scheduled for a CTA of my chest with contrast within the next week. However, the last time I had this type of test for my neck during an emergency ER visit and before I became aware of my AAA, my heart raced like I was in a full sprint all the while laying down. Pretty scary few minutes and I swore I would never do it again. In hindsight, my thoughts on this happening was either because of the AAA causing it or because I may be allergic to the Iodine they used for the contrast. I just conveyed that concern to my Cardiologist since he just ordered the same test. Waiting to hear back. I will update the board here accordingly.

If the CT machine makes you anxious ask your doc to prescribe you a single Ativan pill to take 30 minutes before the scan. It will help tremendously if you're claustrophobic. It's also super important to relax and stay still during that scan so that they can get a clear image. Peace.

We should absolutely trust our doctors. If we can't trust them, we should find another. That said, we also need to be our own advocates. I have a friend who told me she used to keep things from her doctor because she always wanted to get a good report on her physical, as if she were in eighth grade, taking a test. Now, after 25 years with a blood cancer, she tells her doctors everything. I admit I was reluctant to share things in the past. No longer. Don't be afraid to speak up if something bothers you or you don't understand something. Good luck to you. And safe travels.

I think this is one of the blessings of getting older. I don't have any embarrassing habits to hide, and I will share absolutely anything.

It's a blessing for me anyway. Doctors may feel differently. 🤣

I have a AAA of 4.3 at last check in October of last year. My cardiologist told me no lifting over 30 pounds, walk instead of jog and avoid pushing or pulling anything that would cause me to strain. It’s definitely a life changing diagnosis.

We also need to put them on the spot occasionally just to see how they respond. I’ve found more than once where their response/reaction was a deciding factor in wether I would continue to dr with them. The first cardiologist I saw I asked if he would show me on a model of a heart and arteries (that was on a shelf right behind him)where my issue was. He said sure, and proceeded to draw it out on a piece of scrap paper. Needless to say I didn’t go back. The first oncologist I saw, I asked about results including using non traditional treatments. He scoffed at me and said nothing else. I haven’t been back there either. I have found dr.s since then that were willing to sincerely answer any questions I have had. They are after all working for us and I want to fully trust them. They haven’t always given me a answer that I liked, but I knew I could trust.