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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.

barb0921 | @barb0921 | 4 days ago
In reply to @hsminc "You might want to change your Medicare Advantage insurance to traditional Medicare. That will give you..." + (show)
@hsminc

You might want to change your Medicare Advantage insurance to traditional Medicare. That will give you more provider options. Provider options may be important down the road. I read that more and more health systems are refusing to see many, if not most, Medicare Advantage patients. There are exceptions given for some in state plans that negotiate higher payments to desired providers like Mayo. Overall, providers claim that Medicare Advantage plans pay poorly, delay approvals for needed procedures, and delay payments. There are lawsuits and many complaints filed with CMS. Many patients are not aware of these problems until (like you) they find a provider will not accept their insurance.

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Thank you for this information. I don't speak fluent Medicare and had no idea there was "traditional" Medicare. I was under the impression you had to get a supplemental plan. I will be investigating this. Thanks! ps thus far, I have had no issues with the United Healthcare plan, Mayo was the first to decline it. Thanks!

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hsminc | @hsminc | 4 days ago

Traditional Medicare is Medicare A and B. You do not have to buy a supplemental plan. Many people do not. You need to ask a clinic if they “participate with” Medicare A and B. Don’t ask if they “accept” Medicare A and B. Clinics “accept” $$ from anywhere or anyone!!!!
You should see if you might need a Medicare D plan (drug plan).
There are some Medicare Advantage plans that Mayo Rochester accepts. Rochester is different than Jacksonville or Scottsdale. I received an email from Jacksonville (where I have received care) that they did not participate with Medicare Advantage plans.
I only have Medicare A. I have an employer commercial plan to make sure Mayo and other big clinics would accept me. It is very expensive but worth it.

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moonboy | @moonboy | 4 days ago
In reply to @wonderwoman1121 "Thank you moonboy for responding to me and God truly has other plans for you to..." + (show)
@wonderwoman1121

Thank you moonboy for responding to me and God truly has other plans for you to be doing so well after such a horrific experience.

I appreciate your advice. While the thoracic surgeon I went to seems to be well qualified, the Cleveland Clinic is the closest to me. I will do my research for the best surgeon who has the most experience. I worked in healthcare over 30 years. It is the surgeon but the team is important too.

I agree, a planned surgery is better than an emergency. I have been lying in bed thinking, if this thing is growing, I have about 6 months. If I schedule the surgery and things don’t go well , that is all the time I have left or do I wing it and let fate take over. I have some contemplating to do. I’m sure I will speak to the doctor soon once he sees the results of the scan. Of course, the breast cancer meds have an effect on your heart, so the deck is somewhat stacked. Although, if I did not have BC, I would not known about the aneurysm, so that is a sign for me to take the steps to be aware and maybe the sign God wants me to have the surgery or to get things in order. Interestingly, when I was diagnosed with BC, an oncologist said so you won’t die of BC, so what if you die of a heart problem. We all have to go sometime. I just wasn’t planning so soon.

Again, thank you for your response and advice and wish you continued health.

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You're going to be fine. Surgery is tough but imminently survivable. You're fairly young and you can make a good plan. Peace.

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mwendt54 | @mwendt54 | 3 days ago
In reply to @barb0921 "I do not have any underlying causes except hereditary and until about 8 years ago, had..." + (show)
@barb0921

I do not have any underlying causes except hereditary and until about 8 years ago, had moderately high bp.

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My husband found out he has Loeys-dietz syndrome after his brother’s daughter was diagnosed and the majority of his family members after having genetic testing that the majority of his family members had the gene. He has both an aortic aneurysm and an abdominal one which is larger and he has scans every 6 months to watch for growth. It’s scary as hell and since then other problems have been attributed to this genetic mutation. It’s a constant worry.

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charlanepj | @charlanepj | 2 days ago
In reply to @sdr1961 "I'm almost 64 and I too have a 4.5 cm TAA and I'm measured yearly. The..." + (show)
@sdr1961

I'm almost 64 and I too have a 4.5 cm TAA and I'm measured yearly. The past couple of CT scans have been with out contrast due to me having one kidney. This July I'm scheduled to have one with contrast and my one kidney is good and I have had no problems with the contrast since my nephrectomy. I'm anxious to see what it shows with the contrast but I don't worry about it to much and let it stress me. I agree with your statements about lifting and no sudden bursts and spikes in blood pressure.

I find it interesting that you mentioned softener salt. I work in a utility plant and have got around lifting the forty pound bags by using a bucket to let half the salt pour into before adding the salt to the brine tank.

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I think a cap depends on your age, male or female, how often you exercise and what kind of an exercise or work out routine you are in. If you pick something up like softener salt and it makes you hold your breath or grunt - I would not do it again. I too keep a small bucket by it so I can add it gradually.

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pegsterb | @pegsterb | 2 days ago
In reply to @wonderwoman1121 "@annieboo You bring up something interesting. I had Lyme Disease, which was treated. Interesting if that..." + (show)
@wonderwoman1121

@annieboo You bring up something interesting. I had Lyme Disease, which was treated. Interesting if that is a common denominator.

You, as are everyone in this group are in my prayers too. Thank you for sharing.

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This is something that I'm going to have to look into. I had a pretty severe Lyme infection back in 2005. I had meningitis. Lost my vision. Had a PIC line inserted and gave myself IV antibiotics for 30 days. I lost 10 weeks of work. I don't think you're ever back to normal afterwards.
I was diagnosed with my aneurysm last September. 4.2 cm. I see my cardiologist April 1. I have a lot of questions already, but Lyme is now added to the list.
Prayers and well wishes to all!!

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2 replies
annieboo | @annieboo | 1 day ago
In reply to @pegsterb "This is something that I'm going to have to look into. I had a pretty severe..." + (show)
@pegsterb

This is something that I'm going to have to look into. I had a pretty severe Lyme infection back in 2005. I had meningitis. Lost my vision. Had a PIC line inserted and gave myself IV antibiotics for 30 days. I lost 10 weeks of work. I don't think you're ever back to normal afterwards.
I was diagnosed with my aneurysm last September. 4.2 cm. I see my cardiologist April 1. I have a lot of questions already, but Lyme is now added to the list.
Prayers and well wishes to all!!

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Let me know what Cardiologist says.

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dianamg43 | @dianamg43 | 10 hours ago
In reply to @pegsterb "This is something that I'm going to have to look into. I had a pretty severe..." + (show)
@pegsterb

This is something that I'm going to have to look into. I had a pretty severe Lyme infection back in 2005. I had meningitis. Lost my vision. Had a PIC line inserted and gave myself IV antibiotics for 30 days. I lost 10 weeks of work. I don't think you're ever back to normal afterwards.
I was diagnosed with my aneurysm last September. 4.2 cm. I see my cardiologist April 1. I have a lot of questions already, but Lyme is now added to the list.
Prayers and well wishes to all!!

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I also had Lyme in 2006
Was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Last January. It was 4.0
August stayed the same. And in February 4.3. Very scared about it. Wish you well. Will ask my Dr about Lyme

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