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?

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rlhix | @rlhix | Jun 18 6:57am

In reply to @lori555 "Smoking is a #1 cause.. I would believe the cardiologist is good and doing his job!" + (show)

I don't thinks so. The cardiologists and surgeons never told me that because, I never smoked a day in my life and I know of many others that didn't either. I am not really sure where you got that statistic. Sure its a major liability for those that do. Its also one of the first things mentioned when looking at a list of things to do which is frustrating for those that never did it in the 1st place along with already doing 4 out 6 things mentioned such as cardio and diet etc.

georgewaynegerald | @georgewaynegerald | Jun 20 12:54am

Mine is 5.2 Dr is recommending surgery at 5.5.
Last echo showed no growth in last 6 months. I am 82 years old and not looking forward to open heart surgery. Very concerned about recovery time

drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Jun 20 9:45am

In reply to @georgewaynegerald "Mine is 5.2 Dr is recommending surgery at 5.5. Last echo showed no growth in last..." + (show)

I don’t blame you for being anxious. Some surgeons at our age >80 prefer to leave it alone because of the surgical risk at our age

pamela78 | @pamela78 | Jun 21 7:09am

I'll be 80 on my next birthday. Whether or not to have surgery at some point is something I think about a lot.
I'm at 4.2 as of my last CT scan with another scan scheduled in July. This really is like having a ticking time bomb in your chest and besides eating right and exercising, avoiding alcohol and not smoking, there's not anything we can do about it. Carpe diem, friends.

wendysmitty | @wendysmitty | Jun 21 9:56am

I am age 51 with recently diagnosed 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm. I agree with you above that I feel like a ticking time bomb. I don’t know what I did wrong to get this. Not a smoker or drinker. I have been on BP meds the last 6 years or so and then went off after I lost some weight so I thought I would be ok. Now am back on double BP meds. I just don’t know how I’m going to not be paralyzed with fear for a whole year until the next echo. Sigh. I have an upcoming appt with the cardiologist to ask a lot of questions. But a worrier and overthinker by nature not even sure that will quell my fears. How do we live daily having this knowledge?

chevretteg | @chevretteg | Jun 21 1:51pm

In reply to @pamela78 "I'll be 80 on my next birthday. Whether or not to have surgery at some point..." + (show)

Go out to happy hour with your friends and enjoy, there is nothing you can do, but don't stop living. Alcohol thins the blood; I have a huge doubt that alcohol is going to bother you at all.

pearl1714 | @pear1714 | Jun 21 2:46pm

In reply to @wendysmitty "I am age 51 with recently diagnosed 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm. I agree with you above..." + (show)

I’m also 51 and found out last year I had a TAA 4.1 and also an over thinker. The only thing I can tell you is that is so stressful leaving like this. You have your good days and bad days. Don’t loose your faith and be Thankful and Blessed. We have to live our life to the fullest and do what it makes us happy. Smile and don’t give up.

pearl1714 | @pear1714 | Jun 21 2:47pm

In reply to @chevretteg "Go out to happy hour with your friends and enjoy, there is nothing you can do,..." + (show)

Love the way you think 😊

pamela78 | @pamela78 | Jun 21 3:23pm

In reply to @chevretteg "Go out to happy hour with your friends and enjoy, there is nothing you can do,..." + (show)

Now, here's some advice I think I can take--in moderation.

pamela78 | @pamela78 | Jun 21 3:26pm

In reply to @wendysmitty "I am age 51 with recently diagnosed 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm. I agree with you above..." + (show)

If you're at all like me, you get used to it. I was freaked out at first too, when I was diagnosed a year ago with a 4.2 ascending aortic aneurysm. Fear is stress and you need to avoid that if you can. Trust your doctors and go easy on yourself. Knowledge is power and you know what you're dealing with and young enough to have surgery when the time comes.