Eileen, I have flown multiple times since I found out about my TAA (4.3) including across country. I also have enjoyed cruises and land vacation. At first I was so worried I almost just locked myself down and then my family reminded me I always said it would be better to enjoy life then sit worrying. So I took my own advice. Go on your trip, and have a great time! A hug to give you the strength you need to take those first steps. Forgot to tell you I am 73.

I was diagnosed with a 4.5cm aortic root aneursym 7 years ago when i was also had emergency open heart surgery for a Type A aortic dissection. I had a lot of CT scans the first year and recently reduced them to every two years. So far, my aneursym hasn't grown.

I felt the same as you at first and occasionally still do. I'm acutely aware that i have this aneursym but don't worry about it regularly and live a pretty normal life. I fly, i travel by car, i hike sometimes, i walk several miles pretty regularly.

I used to work out pretty hard at the gym (maybe that contributed to my aneurysm and dissection? ).

My surgeon said i can lift light to moderate weights at the gym and can even go jogging. No sprinting to catch the bus and no heavy weightlifting, though. I take carvedilol and losartan daily.

Yeah, it's scary to think about and i share your feeling of having a ticking time bomb in my chest, but i'm following my surgeon's recommendations and after seven years with no growth i figure I must be doing something right or have been very lucky so far (a mix of both, I'm sure).

Don't spend too much time worrying about it. Follow your doctor's advice, keep your bp under control, and get regular CT scans to keep a watchful eye on your aneurysm. Otherwise, live your life as normally as you can.