New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified

Posted by mjm3 @mjm3, Aug 16, 2024

I received the diagnosis of a 4.1 CM ascending aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding after an angiogram was ordered to make sure I had no blockages due to an unexpected spike and blood pressure at work. I normally have low blood pressure so I was surprised when it was 189/111 and they took me to the hospital. that seem to come from acute stress at work, but I had a complete cardiac workout after finding a very low amount of troponin in my bloodstream 0.03. Anyway, the aneurysm was a complete shock and now I’m terrified that it’s going to burst at any time despite my cardiologist rather nonchalant approach. I asked if there’s anything I should be doing or not doing and she said don’t lift anything over 40 pounds . But no other instructions other than they’ll keep an eye on things. How do you get past feeling like your life is almost over. I’m 67 years old and in good health otherwise. I eat healthy, not overweight and thought based on my family longevity that I would live into my late 80s early 90s. Now I’m afraid I won’t make it till the end of the year which is probably ridiculous but this aneurysm has me totally freaked out. How do you all cope? And how do you get the fear so you can just enjoy life?

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@degarden_girl

Your doctor apparently believes you are in good physical shape and the open heart surgery is the best option for you. There is the TEVAR procedure done mostly for descending aortic aneurysms and not the best choice for an ascending aneurysm except when the patient is not able to tolerate the preferred surgery. If you are not convinced that such surgery is necessary, get a second opinion. Also worthwhile asking your cardio how many of these he has done.

I wish you good luck.

Donna

Jump to this post

Thank you and Good idea
I will ask

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My 4cm was found during a CT scan for bronchitis, and I have reason to believe it is congenital as other incidental findings have been made through my lifetime regarding anatomically ”extra parts”. Frankly I took this new info and looked at it as a time to reevaluate my life, my health, which has always been good, to see how I can better serve my fellow man with this new information. I have become anxious in the past with new information but always just went on to be my happy self that I was born to be. I am truly thankful for the body I was given despite all the anomalies discovered along the way. This feeling of gratitude has helped and strengthened me immeasurably.

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