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New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (120)Comment receiving replies
After two years since the initial discovery of my aortic aneurysm of 4.5 cm, a second CT-scan this past July revealed it has grown a few millimeters. The doctor at the CT-scan hospital facility deemed it was at 5.0 cm now. I got second and third opinions from well-known thoracic surgeons here in Arizona and they both stated 4.7 and possibly 4.9. Close enough to 5 cm for me! I am worried too. The last surgeon said (who I have selected) we'll watch it another six months. However, I have a treadmill stress test coming up on Sept. 30th. The surgeon said if there are any other heart issues that are revealed (like coronary artery and valve issues), I might as well elect surgery asap and fix everything. I've been mulling that over for a week now. Not freaking out but my anxiety about it has increased. I would never have known about this if it wasn't for my younger brother dying from a sudden aortic dissection two years ago. Both my sister and I discovered we had thoracic aortic aneurysms after that family disaster. Speaking of family, our father, an uncle, and a cousin -- all on my dad's side -- have had serious heart issues. It has a genetic component and although we don't have any of the the 70+ known genetic markers, they're are more out there waiting to be discovered. My sister's is less severe than mine at 4.4. I am soon to be 72 and she is 70. My brother was only 59.
This truly is a silent killer along with high blood pressure.
Replies to "After two years since the initial discovery of my aortic aneurysm of 4.5 cm, a second..."
I can relate, it is in my family also, (mother’s side) several cases, but more than aorta, I had a brain aneurysm as well as an ascending aortic one (both repaired) and my brother also had 3 brain aneurysms, other family members have died from confirmed aneurysms. We don’t have any of the known markers either but my cardiologist enrolled us in a genetic study to evaluate if they find a new one. It is so important to understand that this can have a genetic component, my children, siblings, etc get evaluated periodically to ensure it is all ok
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Oh dear, oh dear. I'm so sorry for you and what your family has been through. I wouldn't want to wait six months either. A treadmill stress test sounds pretty arduous to me. I had one about 15 or so years ago and found it very unpleasant. When I was told recently that I had to have another one, I sort of panicked. I didn't want to go through that again, but this time the stress test involved an echocardiogram and another test where something radio active was put into my veins and a big machine came down on my chest and did something. That wasn't pleasant either, but it was better than that dang treadmil. Just saying. Let your doctor know how anxious you are. That's worked for me. Best of luck to you.