New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified

mjm3,
My ascending aortic aneurysm was diagnosed at 4.5 cm in 2017. I have it checked annually with a CT and it still measures 4.5. The cardio thoracic surgeon said it could have been there for years and may never need surgery. My echo and CT measure the same, so I am switching to a MRI or Echo next year to reduce the radiation exposure.

I eat healthy, walk and lightly jog 4-5 miles a day at a heart rate that averages 108, lightweight strength training at home, and sleep well. I don't worry about the aneurysm. I am 70 years old and I have a friend who is 74 and her bicuspid valve and aortic aneurysm has been stable for years.

I try to live each day and focus on enjoying life without worry and stress. I have other heart issues that limit some of the things I used to do, so I have found new hobbies I enjoy.

Best of luck to you on your life journey. I hope you can find a place of peace with your aneurysm by living each day to the fullest and having routine screening.

I cannot tell you how much this comment helped me today. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It really has helped Settle my nerves. I appreciate it.

I agree. Your comment gave me a lot of hope and some faith that perhaps I won't just plop over
one day with no warning, but can actually live with this and do wait-and-see approach with scans. My aneurysm was a complete shock to me also and it measures 4.6. I had a CT coronary calcium scan to see if I needed to start statins as I am "borderline" on the criteria. Calcium was zero...so that was great news. But had the wind knocked out of me with the aneurysm (dilatation) diagnosis. Soo encouraged to know that for some these do not require surgery and may never. Thank you for sharing your story!

is low troponin something that needs to be treated? I ask because I too normally run low blood pressure at home, but when I present to medical appts its always high. I don't think I am nervous every time? But my blood pressure is saying otherwise. I'm also dealing with onset of vertigo for the past 2 months and scans were normal. Doing some PT to put my ear "crystals" back into place, and it is happening. But I wondered if I would be able to take anything for elevated BP anyway because of the dizziness. No one has checked a troponin level on me or suggested I have one done. Thank you for sharing your story!

I too was diagnosed in this past summer with a 4.1 ascending aorta aneurysm discovered during a neck CT for migraines. I was terrified as you describe and I went into full blown panic mode for three weeks. The neurologist said it’s not in my wheelhouse and the information I was getting from cardiologists and thoracic surgeon conflicted and I didn’t know where to turn. I googled so much. I finally fought my insurance had a health coach and they put me in contact with a cardio thoracic surgeon who wouldn’t see me u til I go an echo. Again who would order that - finally my PC ordered it and the surgeon said I wasn’t eligible for her practice bc it’s so little but if I insisted a nurse practitioner would see me - that’s where I stand - so sad we have to fight for this info. My PC told me no lifting more than 30 lbs or staining activities. I love this group to read posts that lessen my fears. I want to know how height plays into this. I’m 5’1. I’m 60 F with no genetic factor I know of

I am at 4.5 cm, AAA was identified 3 years ago at 4.0. From my experience and ones of others in this forum and without going into long details you should try to be referred to a thoracic surgeon who actually does these operations. They are normally affiliated with major hospitals which have the resources to do this kind of surgery if needed and give the right kind of advice on how to avoid a problem in the meantime. In my case they require a CT scan each year and some times also an eco. They consider surgery at 5.0 cm. the rate of increase apparently might require surgery earlier. But again best that you connect with the right specialist who will guide you on best way forward. Lots of good info in this forum.

I went to the ER For what felt like was a Heart attack in the early part of 2020. When they did a CT, they found the aneurysm. A very kind doctor after several hours came in to ask if I knew I had an ascending aortic aneurysm. No, I did not. This same doctor is now my thoracic surgeon. My ascending aortic aneurysm, which is on the arch of my aorta is also at 4.1. In the same hospital visit, it was determined that I had high blood pressure. I was told to find a cardiologist and after a lot of searching, I found one. I was put on blood pressure medication. Thankfully, these doctors are both in the same office and work closely together. They communicate on all of my issues around both. Every year since then I have had a follow up CT to see if there is any growth in my aneurysm. It’s coming up at the end of this month and I’m hoping it’s the same. It has not grown at all in four years and my doctor told me that it could have been there for many years and I never knew it. After that statement, and because it hasn’t changed in four years, I try not to worry or even think about it. Hearing it at first was a little bit of a blow, but I never feel anything and try not to worry about it. I was prescribed medications to make sure I stay heart healthy. I don’t love taking statins, but they seem to be keeping things in line and I take the smallest dose there is. I’m 72 now and blood pressure meds were probably inevitable, but those are also low-dose. I also was told not to lift anything over 30 pounds… Must be standard. Try not to worry, as impossible as that sounds. Yours may be the same. You could’ve had it for 20 years and never known it. Just make sure you protect it and do as you’re told to do this. If you’re not comfortable with your thoracic surgeon, find another one if possible. You are going to only see them once A year usually. I see the cardiologist every six months and he shares information. My doctor even had to tell me not to ride any crazy amusement park rides. Not a problem! 😂 good luck!!

I’m so sorry firefly. I replied to you Instead of commenting. I’m not allowed to multitask apparently.🤦‍♀️

As others have commented, your body size, the rate of growth, family history, other ailments you may have, shape of the aneurysm, etc all are taken into account when they decide to operate (also physical fitness of course to support surgery). But the key is to have the right team advising you, and the ideal is to have a cardilogist who specialiazes in aneurysms and a thoracic surgeon that communicate with each other (as @carolinlv commented below). It makes a huge difference, that was my case 5 years ago when they discovered mine after a bike accident, mine was already 5.2 cm so surgery followed soon after, but the care, responses and support I received from my Drs was incredible and made everything so much easier. I still see my cardiologist every year, I get an Echo (they monitor my Aortic valve as it is bicuspid and will need replacement at some point), but also every 4 years he orders a complete body scan to make sure other aneurysms are not appearing.

Best of luck to you!!

Hi Mike, your experience gives me hope. Do you mind sharing how old you are? I’m 52 and my ascending aorta is 3.9 cm while I hope mine never grows to a size that needs surgery I’m fearful that if or when it does I will be much older and harder to recover. Thank you for sharing your experience