New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified

I have had shortness of breath since September the 13th. My breath just won't turn over at certain times during the day. They'll check me out for everything thinking that it could possibly even be asthma. But I don't think so. None of the allergy medicine seemed to help. I had a heart scan and a heart calf October the 15th and 22nd. I was told the heart scan revealed a celiac aorta dissection which I took to mean a tear. My doctor immediately sent me for a heart cath and this doctor said he made it all the way up through my blood vessels and did not have to do stents but did not reveal anymore about the aortic dissection. I have a bulge under my breast that goes around from the one side to the other. It is not from eating and I'm not normally this big. I think something is wrong but don't know what to do about it. My doctor said he would do another heart scan in 6 months, but everything I read says you should get immediate attention with a AAA. I was just wondering if possibly there could be a lead causing this bulge that goes completely around under my breast. I also have a little pain on the right side almost like a hernia pain. I was told that most of the heart scan information was inaccurate and then I just have mild coronary heart disease, but the scan revealed the celiac aortic dissection and I am frightened. I'm 73 and feel as if I'm not as important to get emergency care for what's going on with me. This is all new to me and I'm really a little scared. Do you think it's possible that I could be believing inside or is the bulge that goes from one side to the other and it is a big bulge is that just the dissection? I just don't know much about this, but trying to learn as much as possible. I did see where it said you could get a ultrasound scan and it would tell you more. I have no idea about the size or anything other than what I see in the mirror. It's not normal I know that.

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. Is the bulge you mentioned from an aneurysm? I would immediately go to another cardiologist for a second opinion- and a third if you need to. Sadly I am finding that women can be dismissed as our symptoms are lumped in with men and they can survive these things growing to a larger size. It is definitely terrifying and I understand. Please keep us posted on what you find out. Sending healing thoughts🙏🏻

Yes, I had a heart scan and was told I have a celiac aorta dissection. I was not told a size or anything. My heart doctor just said that he would give me another heart scan in 6 months to see if it had grown. I also have kidney disease and my kidneys function around 46 to 57% GFR. And I had to have died with both the heart scan and the heart cath. But, I'm reading that you can have a very easy ultra sound that can tell you all about your abdomen aortic aneurysm. Also it said that it's not something that you just let go, but you should see if you need surgery to repair it. So, I don't know what to do, how much I can do, but no that this bulge under my breast is not normal.

The word was that I had to have dye with my scan and they leave my kidneys to repair before giving me another one. But I read that you can take other tests that can reveal the size of your dissection.

You need to find another doctor/cardiologist and get a second opinion. You need your questions answered and your fears addressed. Don't wait for your doctor to take all the necessary steps; you need to be proactive and advocate for yourself. Be polite and be persistent. Good luck to you.

You should get immediate help. See a doctor who takes you seriously and ask all your questions. Write your questions down before your appointment so you don't forget anything. I'm sorry you have this concern.

First: try not to panic!! I too, was diagnosed the same way. Angiogram after” incidental” finding during a repeat Echocardiogram. I have Stage 1 DD( Diastolic Dysfunction) for some 8 yrs now. I am 74. Repeat Echos occasionally.
At first the Echo report said I had a 4.75…. Then with the contrast CT it turned out to be only 3.75. The Cardio Dr. completely dropped it!! As it turns out; in today’s world an aneurism is not a threat until it hits 5.0. They don’t touch them until then ; sometimes beyond. Follow up every so often depending on your particular case. Even then the surgical procedure is usually minimally invasive with new technology. Via groin or wrist. And unlike decades ago( my grandfather died from an AA— abdominal … when they attempted grafted veins from the leg; )today a “ mesh” graft and stent is inserted inside the weak wall. Highly successful and you should do just fine. At 4.1 you are not in immediate danger. If anything, stressing over it is detrimental. Please try to relax!! Make sure you trust your Cardio Doc. There are quite a few of us out here dealing with it. Life goes on. Suzie

I was just diagnosed in September, mine is also 4.2 cm. My cardiologist told me not to lift more than 25-35 pounds. No NSAIDs. No fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Monitor my BP. Reduce stress. They did start me on low dose Crestor. I don't drink or smoke. Not overweight. I always eat healthy. I woke up one morning in August with soreness in my lower throat and I could feel a pulsating vessel. Echo and CT angiogram showed my dilated aorta. My aorta was displacing the large vessels in my chest. The vessel i was feeling is my right brachiocephalic artery. I am happy to have a diagnosis. I was living with it for many years, not knowing it was there. I now need to see my cardiologist every 6 months. Have my scans. I'm 70 and just retired from nursing in March. I'm grateful nothing happened when I was lifting patients and pushing heavy beds. It's not something I wanted to be diagnosed with, but there are a lot worse things. I am just so very grateful to know it is there and I along with my medical team, will monitor it, until the time comes that I need surgery. It is nice to have the support of others diagnosed with the same thing.

Thanks for sharing this.

Has your aneurysm grown in the last 4 years? My cardiologist told me that they usually grow slowly. As it has only been 2 months since my diagnosis, I haven't had another scan yet. I was just so surprised to find the soreness in my throat was from one. Most aneurysms are diagnosed when you are having a scan for something else. I just had a breast MRI and it showed up on that. It makes me question how fast it was growing. One morning there is nothing and the next my aorta is pushing other vessels up against my throat. Luckily they have moved away from my throat, so there's no longer soreness. I'm grateful to have had the soreness and got it evaluated. I'm grateful to have a diagnosis. It now makes me more aware of my body and what I have to do to keep it healthy. I wish you the best. Take care.