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@sabrinaivey

@jkb5000 I had the same experience. I also went for a CT Calcium score as a baseline as I have normal cholesterol and am very healthy. My calcium score was zero but as an "incidental finding", they noted I had a TAA of 4.2 cm. I am now seeing a cardiologist. I had a stress test and echocardiogram. Both came back normal, with no regurgitation from the valve. The echo measured the TAA at 3.8 cm, but it is normal to have variation from CT to echo. I go back in February for another echo. I have been oddly calm about my diagnosis, which is strange because health issues generally send me into a tailspin. I'm only 57 (female) and have been very active my entire life, with lots of running, weight training, etc. My weight and BMI are normal. My only risk factor is mild familial hypertension, which is controlled by 80 mg of Valsartan. It's a bit of a gut punch to find this out, but at least I know about it and can have it monitored. I have continued to workout as I normally have and will see how it affects the growth of my TAA. I wasn't given any restrictions but I don't lift super heavy weights. I do, however, participate in spin classes and intense hot yoga. I'm curious how my next echo will be. Best of luck to everyone. Knowledge is power! Happy New Year!

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Replies to "@jkb5000 I had the same experience. I also went for a CT Calcium score as a..."

Happy New Year !! Thanks for the reply. I also think hypertension was my culprit. Mine was mild like yours but being a type "A" personality probably didn't help - lol. I'm so grateful for finding this website with you and others who have the same diagnosis especially since it is so rare. Best of luck to you and everyone !!!!

Be careful and discuss your exercise with your cardiologist. I worry about not getting enough exercise, but what you do sounds like a lot to me. Just saying. I'm not a doctor.

I am worried about lifting heavy items, but the cardiologist didn't give me any restrictions. I think my biggest enemy is stress, because I get so stressed when I can't do something myself, and I get aggravated because I can't fix a problem ( just everyday things like when the grasscutter quits in the middle of mowing the lawn, and I can't get it started and I have to call and wait on someone to come fix it), and I know my BP goes thru the roof. So, I know I have to learn how to defuse, and I don't know how to do that.