What makes ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms increase in size?

Posted by wonderwoman1121 @wonderwoman1121, Jan 19 7:16pm

I am a 68 year old woman, who considers myself in relatively good shape and health until I was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 months ago. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and now I am on medication which increases cholesterol, causes joint pain, and osteoporosis. In June 2024, I had a CT Scan with contrast due to the cancer and that was fine but I found out I had a 4.1 ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm, which caused me to freak out. My cardiologist had no concern, so I saw a Thoracic Surgeon who said since I’m short, surgery would be needed if it reached 4.5. Typically, they recheck in a year but since I was nervous I just had a CT Scan on 1/17/2025 w/o contrast. I just received the results today, is it really beneficial so see results populating in your portal before you speak to the doctor, not…. anyway… it is now 4.3 so it grew in 7 months. I retired to relieve stress, do Pilates, use my elliptical, increased my BP to 100 mg, I occasionally have a glass of wine or Cosmo at dinner once a week. I don’t have a good feeling about this and I’m trying to be positive but I’m really struggling today.

Are there any statics on how often aneurysms increase in size compared to no change? Are there any statistics on how many people who have surgery survive the surgery but die from complications, or life span after surgery.

I always look for a solution and not one to give up but not being able to fix this is making me crazy.

Also, it seems doctors have a cavalier approach because there really isn’t anything they can do, basically the odds are 50/50…maybe.

Any inspirational hope from anyone?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

obl55 | @obl55 | Mar 4 3:34pm

In reply to @moonboy "I suffered a complete type a one aortic dissection at the age of 50 in 2015...." + (show)

@moonboy

I suffered a complete type a one aortic dissection at the age of 50 in 2015. It is now 2025 and I’m alive and well and writing to you. I had to open heart surgeries to repair my burst aorta. This is not something that you can ignore or defer, or wish away. You are going to be OK. You are aware that you have a problem and that is 95% of the battle. Trust me. You do not want to have this happen emergently and have a dissection. One should begin dissecting there is no controlling it. Make good friends with A. well qualified thoracic surgeon. Find yourself a major Medical Center near you like Mayo, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Texas, Houston, UCSD, La Jolla, Cleveland, clinic, etc.

I spent the last 10 years thinking about my aortic dissection and I had absolutely no time whatsoever to think about it when it happened. From the time I began dissecting till the time I was in surgery was about 42 minutes. If you get more time than that then your miles ahead of where I was. My quality of life is excellent and I have never been in better shape or happier to be alive. The life expectancy question is one which depends upon who you ask, but my most recent research shows that people who have survived the surgery and have lived at least 30 days after the surgery, Tend to add about 11 months to their life expectancy. That sounds odd, but the thinking is that once you survive this, you tend to take better care of yourself and hence your life is longer. I am thankful every day for the time I have. I honestly wish that I had known. I had a problem and could’ve dealt with it when I was at home in Minneapolis instead of 1600 miles away in San Diego. It was really traumatic for my wife and my kids for me to be in a cardiac ICU for three weeks. I had a really bad experience because I had a complete spiraling dissection starting at the top of my heart, and it was really touch and go. The good news for you is that you can have surgery in a planned manner when you have all of the people you need ready to go, well rested, And with all of the necessary resources in the right place. My fate was sealed and the good news for me was I happen to be in the right place at the right time. You on the other hand cannot guarantee that for yourself unless you schedule your surgery. Period it sounds like you’ve got a good medical team and you should listen to them and do everything you can to reduce your blood pressure and not to place any kind of unnecessary strain on your aorta. Listen to your doctors. Listen to your thoracic surgeon. They have your best interest at heart and they want to help you and give you an excellent quality of life. You’re going to be OK. peace.

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Hello Moonboy! I live near San Diego. Who are the doctors you recommend here? I have an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm measuring 3.9 cm and would like to be monitored by a good specialist. Thank you.

moonboy | @moonboy | Mar 5 5:58am

My thoracic surgeon is retired now. Anthony Perricone MD. UCSD La Jolla. https://healthlocations.ucsd.edu/san-diego/9434-medical-center-drive/12

They saved my life. Hillcrest USCD ER diagnosed it and sent me up for surgery immediately. Peace.

mikecao4250 | @mikecao4250 | Mar 5 12:36pm

In reply to @obl55 "Hello Moonboy! I live near San Diego. Who are the doctors you recommend here? I have..." + (show)

Hi Obl55, I am Mike, I also live near San Diego. I have the same question as you. My aoritic aneurysm measures 4.3cm. I am looking for a thoracic surgeon to monitor it. Take care.

mikecao4250 | @mikecao4250 | Mar 5 12:37pm

In reply to @moonboy "My thoracic surgeon is retired now. Anthony Perricone MD. UCSD La Jolla. https://healthlocations.ucsd.edu/san-diego/9434-medical-center-drive/12 They saved my..." + (show)

Thank you Moonboy for the information.

mikecao4250 | @mikecao4250 | Mar 5 12:55pm

In reply to @donnawhite "I am 77 years old and have lived with an aortic theoretic aneurysm since 2019. When..." + (show)

Hi Donnawhite, thank you for the information. I’m 73 years old. My aneurysm measures 4.3cm. I have several other diseases. I may do as you are doing, avoid the surgery. I am prepared to die at any time. I am continuing playing golf and enjoying every day. Best wishes to you.

obl55 | @obl55 | Mar 5 9:50pm

In reply to @mikecao4250 "Hi Obl55, I am Mike, I also live near San Diego. I have the same question..." + (show)

After some research and speaking to my internal medicine physician, they are suggesting the following specialists:

Cardiologist: Dr. Kevin Rapeport in San Diego
Ascending Aortic Surgeon: Dr. Pedro Catarino, MD, Director of Aortic Surgery in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the Smidt Heart Institute (Cedars-Sinai)
Vascular Surgeon for All Other Aorta Issues: Dr. Ali Azizzadeh, MD, a leading vascular surgeon at the Smidt Heart Institute (Cedars-Sinai).

I hope this helps.

mikecao4250 | @mikecao4250 | Mar 6 10:17am

In reply to @obl55 "After some research and speaking to my internal medicine physician, they are suggesting the following specialists:..." + (show)

Thank you Obl for the information. I have not seen my family doctor for a referral. All my doctors are in UCSD. I may be referred to UCSD thoracic department. I’m 73 years old, I just want a doctor to monitor the progress. I am not sure I will take the surgery in the future. Take care!

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

charlanepj | @charlanepj | Mar 6 8:44pm

I was 68, in good health and never ill, never any surgeries. I still have my wisdom teeth, appendix, gall bladder, everything. My Aneurysm was discovered by accident and it was 4 cm. I was told to have it checked once a year. the next year I was waiting for my appointment and I ended up with an emergency aortic dissection. It measured 4.5. So you never know. I came through the surgery and I am active again. I swim, ride jet skis, do mild level hiking, walk, and bike. I have adjusted my lifting. My doctors say no lifting or pushing that causes me to grunt, hold my breath, moan or strain. No more lifting bales of hay or softener salt. It isn't gradual exercise that is a problem it is sudden burst of your blood pressure that you have to watch. The way it was explained to me was that you do not want the blood to slam against your arteries and vessels.

Best wishes to you,
CPJ

charlanepj | @charlanepj | Mar 6 9:16pm

I am a 68 year old woman. They found my aneurysm by accident like so many others. It was 4cm when found. A year later I was having an emergency aortic dissection and it was 4.5. I am a survivor. Lifting heavy objects and high blood pressure are the biggest dangers.

cdt55 | @cdt55 | Mar 7 7:58am

Hi, I had a CT scan without contract 4.8 and with contrast 4.5. I had 3 echos: 4.04, 4.3 and 4.5. The most current echo and CT both were at 4.5. I’m going with the 4.5 number as they are consistent.
Good luck.

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