Monitoring 4.9cm ... Feeling Anxious

I was 54 when the found mine after an MTB accident, my aneurysm was 5.2 at that point so recommendation was repair. I also have a BAV which are known contributors to the appearance of aneurysms. I was very active like you, biking, weights, swimming, yoga. I had my surgery 3 months after my leg surgery from bike accident, they left my BAV as it was highly functional. Being in good shape made the whole process “easier” (it’s never easy) my surgeon gave me >99% chance of no complications, I was out of the hospital in 5 days and back to work in 3 weeks, started exercising as soon as I was allowed, my leg was bigger obstacle. I also have to take antibiotics every time I see my dentist (it is the BAV that is very vulnerable to infections), I’m fortunate though my dental work is just cleaning, but still. When they found mine I just wanted it gone, could not have the surgery soon enough, I found the best thoracic surgeon near me, and through him a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, they made a huge difference. Think you are one of the lucky ones who found out they have one before it was too late and can do something about it, the surgery is tough but the whole thing goes by quickly, you took care of your body so you’re in a good place. I also have two kids and get to enjoy them, one is in med school and writes to me every time something related to the aorta or valves appears, he is happy he gets to do that. Don’t be afraid of the surgery, just find an awesome team to help you, at 4.9 it’s a matter of when not if. It’s been 5 years for me and I’m as active as ever, no restrictions

All the best to you!!

Ah Houston thanks so much for such a lovely reassuring message. I'm really glad you continue to be ao healthy. I love a good health success story! I probably have made myself sound like action woman, I've not exercised for quite some time but the last year been trying to get back into all the things that put pressure on the AAV unbeknownst to myself. Think this is where I'm struggling and gone into a place of over protection which has made me not very healthy at all. It's like my locus of control is gone out of control and I'm also dipping in and out of feelings of fear re: my own mortality... Peri Meno doesn't help 🙂 to all else around me I am a pillar of strenght. Probably just fear tipping in.....

Just think at the size yours is repair is probably inevitable, so take care of your body, you can exercise and you should just be mindful, don’t lift heavy weights or do any exercise that makes you hold your breath or grunt (like crunches), as it is known that exercises that make you hold your breath raise the BP momentarily to dangerous levels. You want to control your BP, high BP is the worst enemy of an aneurysm. So there is a fine line as to how extraneously you should exercise, but you want your body at its best!!! Exercise also helps your mind take stress out and lower any anxiety you may have about this ordeal. Find help like a therapist, anything that can help you manage the situation. Follow your Drs’ advice, you will be fine!!!

Thanks so much, for reassurance and kindness while taking time to reply. The Internet can be such an unkind place, I don't use social media either, so been great to be able to post here. Going to start with my steps every day and water increase. Achievable small steps in the hope of creating new habits. Thanks again. Will wait to see what results tests yield in March-May and any changes.... Good tip on therapist too, no harm. I was very accepting of it all till a pal talked about the risks, prob hit home a bit today, I'll keep updated here and keep positive it's not 'curtains' for me yet!! 😊

I am 60 years old. I dissected completely and suddenly at age 50 almost 10 years ago. It was an absolute nightmare. You do not want to wait if surgery is indicated for you. Emergent surgery is often not survivable with a complete dissection like I had. Most people are dead before they hit the floor. A complete aortic dissection will essentially cause you to bleed out into your chest cavity in a very short amount of time. At 5 cm you are a candidate for surgery and you need to be honest with yourself about your situation. I would not be taking advice from ANYONE who's either not had a complete aortic dissection and survived one (me) or a qualified thoracic surgeon with aortic expertise.

You are in a danger zone where your chance of dying from this is very high. You need to get in with your thoracic surgeon immediately and take their advice. I would also make sure that you have all of your important documents in order before you have surgery done. That means getting a will, a living will, a healthcare directive and a healthcare power of attorney, depending upon your circumstance. I know this is not what you want to hear, but it is what you need to hear. Take it from someone who has been through this, you are very unlikely to survive if you dissect suddenly and completely. They just do not have enough time to get you open and get you stabilized to repair it. I want you to think about whether or not you would take a thousand mile long trip at 85MPH on a car that had a giant bulge in the front driver side tire? You would not do it, nor should you. Get with a good thoracic surgeon right now and get help. Peace.

I was going to suggest you searched for one of @moonboy’s posts because you would see what you would avoid by having surgery, the alternative is horrible, I’m glad he jumped in. He didn’t know he had one and the surprise was life changing to say the least. As blunt as he sounds it is the reality.

Surgery is not a cake walk, but again it is very safe in the hands of an experienced team, technology has gone a long way in this field.

Take care and all the best again!!!

You need the best surgeon you can find that specializes in TAA. With the bicuspid valve, you are already at the point surgery is warranted. Its also good to know if there are any other issues while they are coming up with a plan. I find that out during my odyssey last year.

Dzień dobry,

po pierwsze ma Pan szczęście, że w USA są najlepsze kliniki oraz lekarze na świecie które specjalizują się Anorysmą.
Ja mam 67 lat i dotychczas miałem 6 operacji na serce a następna Anorysma aorta ascendens to tylko kwestia czasu.
Mieszkam w Berlinie i w Niemczech robią takie operacje w momencie jak jest 5,5cm.
Jeżeli mógłbym coś poradzić to tylko to aby Pan się nie martwił, ponieważ nie ma Pan wpływu na to co będzie a jeżeli nie ma się wpływu to po co się martwić.
1.Nie nadużywać alkoholu
2.Nie stresować się
3.Nie dźwigać ciężarow
4.Uważać na nadwagę
5. Ciśnienie krwi nie wyższe niż 140/90
Pozdrawiam serdecznie i życzę zdrowia

Yes Wow it kind if floored me but know he means well and it's a well meaning message. I wonder what size his was before it ruptured considering he didn't know he had it..... I would hope both my cardiologist and T. surgeon would be experienced enough to have me hold off till now to retest and complete the two tests again to compare. They told me this is monitoring stage and suggested beta blockers for now. First CT with contrast was April 24, private echo followed by request of T surgeon so he had both to compare in May 25... I'm pretty unnerved now tbh.... Just the stark reality if whole situation.. I've started walking, drinking more water and trying to meditate to reduce stress but can't think of anything else at the moment now particularly after reading the last messages 🙈... I am in Ireland too, not the US.

Thanks Moonboy, you were so lucky after what you went through... You are truly blessed. It was a little scary to read your post.... but reality can be right.....