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New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified
I received the diagnosis of a 4.1 CM ascending aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding after an angiogram was ordered to make sure I had no blockages due to an unexpected spike and blood pressure at work. I normally have low blood pressure so I was surprised when it was 189/111 and they took me to the hospital. that seem to come from acute stress at work, but I had a complete cardiac workout after finding a very low amount of troponin in my bloodstream 0.03. Anyway, the aneurysm was a complete shock and now I’m terrified that it’s going to burst at any time despite my cardiologist rather nonchalant approach. I asked if there’s anything I should be doing or not doing and she said don’t lift anything over 40 pounds . But no other instructions other than they’ll keep an eye on things. How do you get past feeling like your life is almost over. I’m 67 years old and in good health otherwise. I eat healthy, not overweight and thought based on my family longevity that I would live into my late 80s early 90s. Now I’m afraid I won’t make it till the end of the year which is probably ridiculous but this aneurysm has me totally freaked out. How do you all cope? And how do you get the fear so you can just enjoy life?
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Hi all
Mine is at 3.5, I’m 56.
I have moments where I’m thinking that I’m lucky it was picked up and then this horrendous fear and anxiety grips me and tells me I have a time bomb in my chest and then equally horrendous guilt that I did this to myself by piling on the weight in the last few years and ruined a perfectly healthy body
Desperately trying to be positive but the dark thoughts win out
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3 ReactionsEveryone is different, but my mother had congestive heart failure beginning when she was in her 60s. She lived to be 88. Everyone here knows how hard it is to take all of this in. It's as if we're suddenly in a whole different world, but cardiology has come a very long way since my mother's time. Communicate with your doctors. Don't be afraid or ashamed to let them know how rattled you are. It is all too much, but you can't live in constant fear. Sooner or later you'll adjust to the new "normal." BTW I got a medic-alert bracelet and wear it all the time. Can't hurt.
I have an ascending aortic aneurysm and rheumatoid arthritis. With minor adjustments I'm able to live a comfortable life. I figure that at 78 I shouldn't be too surprised when things like this crop up. It's not pleasant but it does give you a change of perspective. Good luck to you. Be well.
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3 ReactionsThank you for your kind words and encouragement. I appreciate it. Best of health to you!
I've never read anything about a possible cause of an aneurysm beyond heredity, about which you can do nothing. I know you shouldn't smoke. Keep your blood pressure down, lose some weight, and avoid salt. But does anyone here know anything more about possible causes?
My GP checked my BP readings that would have been taken over the years and they were never high. Cardiologist asked if direct family had a history and if not he said it’s blood pressure .
My GP said my blood pressure would have to be high for years to cause it. He also said blood pressure doesn’t cause it , if the potential for it is there , it aggravates it.
I don’t smoke , did a little a few years ago for about a year , maybe 3 or 4 a day during a stressful time at home . And when I was a young adult would smoke when I went out but never outside that and that was over 30 years ago . Again I would think I’d have to be a fairly regular 10 to 20 a day for years to cause it .
So maybe a predisposition there ?
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1 ReactionThat sounds right. My blood pressure has been under good control for years and I don't smoke. This makes me realize more than ever how important it will be to get that genetic test in November. I want my kids to know if they're at risk. I don't know of anyone in my family who's had this, but I guess it's possible some ancestor had it without ever knowing.
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1 ReactionMine was caused by my bicuspid valve which is hereditary. Had surgery March 6th. They replaced the aneurysm with a graft, repaired the valve and also repaired the aortic root. I’m doing well.
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3 ReactionsIt's always good to hear stories like yours. Thank you.
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1 ReactionI also have a bicuspid aortic valve and my cardiologist (whose research is focused mainly on aortic valves and aneurysms) told me it is known people with bicuspid valves have a higher risk of aneurysms, not only aortic. There are also genetic factors , in my case I have both. I also had a brain aneurysm which I found because my brother had one (his valve is tricuspid though) and I got checked, we have had other cases in my family. Both of my aneurysms were fixed, embolization for my brain one, open heart for my ascending aortic one. People with Marfan syndrome also may develop aneurysms in some cases multiple. Beyond those factors I don’t think they really know why else they appear. I get checked every 3 years for any possible new ones
Interesting, I had my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired by open heart 4 years ago, the surgeon told me it was the only option, they have to replace that section of the aorta with a graft, which means stopping the heart, etc maybe it depends on other factors, my aortic valve will have to be replaced in the future and that can be done with a catheter,(but only after the aneurysm has been repaired)