Aortic Aneurysm 3.5

Posted by killybegs22 @killybegs22, Aug 24 9:26am

Hello all
Following an abnormal ecg I got a referral to a cardiologist.
I brought along a cd from a cardiac ct scan I had a year before which I had as part of ‘looking after myself’ and it had a zero score .
What a crafty man 🤗
He first said it was great that my score was zero, said my 24hr holter monitor results were fine , started telling me about the bits on my echo that were perfect then told me I had a slightly dilated aorta which they would check again in a year . He told me to get a blood pressure monitor from my GP and if it came back high he would put me on both medication.
I asked if I kept my blood pressure down would it stall the growth , he said it would and maybe years from now I might need surgery .
I left in a celebratory mood because it was all the things I thought might me wrong until I looked up what he was actually talking about.
For me it’s worse than anything I had imagined. At least if it was blocked arteries k could just get a stent.
I’m 5’ 10F and ashamed to say over the last few years have gained weight and am currently over 40 lbs overweight which I am currently starting to lose. Even more ashamed to say this weight gain is from too much white wine and chocolate every evening which became a habit and comfort mechanism as we have had worries and stresses in our home regarding health issue with our kids over the last couple of years .
To say I’m terrified and paralysed with anxiety is an understatement. My husband says ‘they’ll monitor it, if it gets bigger you have the surgery ‘
I had to take a Xanax last night and am considering going on meds because i can feel the thought process on this getting way out of control .
I check and see a positive story and feel relief and then I read about it bursting .
I always had low blood pressure but at a recent free screening with our medical insurer it showed to be high .
I feel firstly that I did this to myself and that I squandered my good health . I feel hopeless about what’s ahead and wonder will I spend the next 12 months waiting for the next echo
I also can’t understand how it wasn’t picked up on the calcium ct scan but that’s irrelevant now I suppose
Will this fear get easier? I know I should feel thankful that it was found and can be watched
Thank you for ‘listening’

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

pamela78 | @pamela78 | Aug 25 10:28am

Boy, do I ever understand what you're saying. I was diagnosed a couple of months ago and had the exact same reaction. Panic, alarm bells, massive anxiety. My b.p. spiked and I must have messaged my doctor a dozen times. The only reason I have an appointment with him in Sept. is because I was so upset. Like you, I freaked out when I did some research, bought a medic-alert bracelet which I wear at all times, and have scheduled a genetic test to see if this is hereditary. I want this information for my kids. This group has helped me more than anything. First of all, it lets me know I'm not alone, that other people are anxious too. And those who have had surgery and not come back with horror stories are a big help. "Moonboy", who had a dissection, has been especially helpful. I have calmed down quite a bit but I'm losing some weight and trying not to lift things that are too heavy. Some say that doesn't matter, but it gives me a good excuse to get someone else to carry the groceries. BTW I'm 78, heading toward 150 lbs., am 5'6" (it all depends on measurements, doesn't it?), and, just for the record, I don't feel my age.
My ascending aortic aneurysm is a 4.2 or a 4.1, depending on which test you look at. I assume it's a 4.2, which I understand is too soon for surgery, which I dread but will have as soon as it's recommended. The imponderable is how fast the dratted thing is going to grow. I'm so glad this was found and can now be monitored. I've gone to my cardiologist for years for high blood pressure and never had any problems other than that. Then this popped up and took me completely by surprise. I got the diagnosis on a Friday and spent the weekend in meltdown mode. At the end of the day, I'd rather have this than some other things I won't mention. Quality of life is what it's all about. I've had a full life and there's nothing big I particularly want to do, beyond living to be a great-grandmother. My grandsons are 19 and 15, so I have a ways to go. I plan to be there. I'm sure you will be too.

Please sign in or register to post a reply.