Has your dr. explained that aneurysms can be hereditary?

Yes. They sent me for genetic testing after my diagnosis. Mine didn't reveal any known genetic disorders. There's something of unknown significance. They told me to come back in 2-5 years to see if there are any advances.

I was advised to let my children and siblings know that my ascending aorta aneurysm could be heredity. I was told that my maternal grandfather died of sudden heart failure but not sure of the cause. I assume it could have been an aneurysm. I also have 2 aneurysms on my spleen that are calsified.

@ kebrpa20
Yes, my husband was found to have a genetic mutation for Loeys-Dietz syndrome which causes thoracic and abdominal aneurysms. He has been monitored every 6 months to see if it grows and it did. He is now scheduled for hopefully the EVAR repair in August. This came as a shock to all family and. Some have the gene and others don’t. Since he has the genetic mutation, he has been advised after being evaluated by three different cardiologists that he shouldn’t wait until the standard 5.5 cm to have it taken care of. His depending on how who’s measuring it it’s 5.0-5.3.

aneurysm and heart attacks do go together.

My brother was diagnosed with an ascending aorta aneurysm about 10 years ago and had surgery to correct it about 6 years ago. As far as I know, he was not told it could be hereditary (even though we have a very strong family history of sudden death at a young age from heart issues). I learned the condition could be hereditary by Googling it, and subsequently was also diagnosed with a ascending aorta aneurysm.

I have had a splenic aneurysm repair and now, it grew again, I am having it re done on Monday;
I also have a small aortic aneurysm;
My doctor told me to have my sons get genetic testing;
Not sure if they will because in your 30s, you seem invincible.

Almost anything you can think of is hereditary , the good and the bad Enjoy the good stuff and keep an eye on the bad .

I’m really glad you shared this. Facing another splenic aneurysm repair—especially after already having one done—is no small thing. It takes strength just to keep moving forward through all this. And knowing you also have a small aortic aneurysm on top of it adds a whole other layer to manage. Your doctor was wise to suggest genetic testing for your sons. Aneurysms can sometimes run in families, especially when they show up early or in unusual places. I hear you on how hard it can be to get young adults to see the long view when they feel invincible—but planting that seed now is still worthwhile. Sometimes just hearing that a parent is being proactive can open the door for them to take their health more seriously down the road.

At the suggestion of both my thoracic surgeon and the team at the John Ritter Aortic Research Program at UT Houston, I’ve had all of my children scanned. I found a lot of peace of mind in knowing where things stood for each of them, whatever the results were. In 2015, I survived a catastrophic Type A aortic dissection. I was alone on a business trip when it hit, needed emergency open-heart surgery, and now live with a Dacron graft. That experience changed my life forever. You’re not alone in this. Peace.

Hi eawarl. My brother and I both have ascending aneurysms. We both lack known genetic markers. 2 of my 4 adult children agreed to get echoes (not covered by insurance). They were clean. We have a family history of sudden cardiac deaths, but not a blazing one. I happen to have a a PFO that has become significantly symptomatic, and will be evaluated in one week. By what I can tell, other issues with the heart affecting the hemodynamics, can facilitate aneurysm growth. So I will be presenting many questions to my cardiologists regarding this interplay. Its quite complicated, and individual comorbidities are huge players. Since this cause and effect circle is too big for my brain, I hope to gain specific parameters going forward. Good luck to everyone who is dealing with this, and as Moon Boy would say ... "Peace"!!!

I survived a thoracic ascending aortic dissection. It was 4.3cm. There is some family history of this. I informed my cardiologist that my sister died of a dissection a year before. He said mine was small and see you in 2 years. After the dissection, the surgeon said I should have had a repair scheduled at 4cm, told my adult children to get tested for aneurysms and I had to do genetic testing. Initial tests showed a mutation of unknown significance but I have submitted another sample for more testing. I also had a series of physical tests at an aorta genetic clinic. I’ve been told that there was no explanation why mine would dissect unless there is a genetic cause. They obviously think ‘unknown significance’ is worth additional testing. It might be lack of data and in that case, I’m happy to help improve the stats. It might help the next generation. My understanding is that if I show something with the genetics, my children will qualify for genetic testing and earlier monitoring.