1. < Aortic Aneurysms

4.0 Aeortic Root

Posted by carabn1 @carabn1, Apr 13 7:55am

Hi there,
I am almost 60 yrs old, 5'10 and saw cardiologist for PVCs. Went through all of the tests and they found a 4.0 aeortic root on echo. He does not seem to concerned and wants me to keep bp down, exercise and (yes I need to) lose 40 lbs. This 4.0 thing is freaking me out. I am afraid to work out now. I have terrible anxiety to begin with and this is not helping.

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rlhix | @rlhix | Apr 23 7:18am
In reply to @wdytys "You may want to follow your doctor’s advice on how often you get CT scans. I..." + (show)
@wdytys

You may want to follow your doctor’s advice on how often you get CT scans. I heard this on NPR:
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/16/g-s1-60488/ct-scan-cancer-risk-ionizing-radiation

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People that have aortic aneurysms etc. and have a cardiologist and/or cardiovascular surgeon do follow their doctors advice. It may involve a CT scan ever year or 6 months depending on the situation. The odds are heavily against someone that has a aortic root rupture, aortic tear or dissection. Between Jul 22, 2024 and Feb 19 2025, I had 3 CT scans and a cardiac MRI. The alternative is catheter procedures and I had 3 of those from Aug 6 and Sep 4th, 2024.

That said, at 4.0, Echocardiograms is definitely the best, safest, option in most cases.

REPLY
carabn1 | @carabn1 | May 11 6:58am

Thanks everyone,
The weight is coming off, BP is down, and been having less anxiety attacks, and sleeping a lot better. Started using a magnesium lotion and that seems to be helping with my stress level. My dr. called me after I sent him a message through portal with my anxiousness about all of this. We talked for quite a while and his approach with all of his patients is he telling them this, "Unless I am worried about it, you cannot be worried about it. I am not worried about this. Drop the weight and BP. We will do another echo in Sept. and keep watch of everything."

I can stop worrying, I can stop worrying, I can stop worrying......

REPLY
1 reply
pamela78 | @pamela78 | May 12 10:35am
In reply to @carabn1 "Thanks everyone, The weight is coming off, BP is down, and been having less anxiety attacks,..." + (show)
@carabn1

Thanks everyone,
The weight is coming off, BP is down, and been having less anxiety attacks, and sleeping a lot better. Started using a magnesium lotion and that seems to be helping with my stress level. My dr. called me after I sent him a message through portal with my anxiousness about all of this. We talked for quite a while and his approach with all of his patients is he telling them this, "Unless I am worried about it, you cannot be worried about it. I am not worried about this. Drop the weight and BP. We will do another echo in Sept. and keep watch of everything."

I can stop worrying, I can stop worrying, I can stop worrying......

Jump to this post

I love what your doctor said. You can take that to the bank.

REPLY
sarastewart | @sarastewart | May 12 8:19pm

CT scans do radiate our bodies excessively, so I always ask for an MRI. It takes a little bit more time to get it pass through your insurance, but it is healthier! The secret to having an MRI is to make sure you’re a little tired when you go into the tube and put a dry wash cloth over your eyes and never open them. I always take a nap as I listen to the tapping of the machine that lulls me to sleep.

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