Should I be concerned about how at risk I am for rupture with a 4.2 cm

At 4.2 the likelihood of rupture is close to 0, your aneurysm is in the “small range”. Surgeons normally won’t consider surgery until the aneurysm approaches 5.0 and above, depending on other factors, like body size, family history, other health conditions, etc

You do have to control your BP, my recommendation is to find a cardiologist who is an aortic disease specialist (not all of them are and it makes a difference) to guide you and monitor you. It is important to monitor growth rate and your cardiologist will do that. Although you are far from critical size, find the best surgeon, someone who has done hundreds/thousands of these type of surgeries, in a major medical center near you and get an initial assessment by him/her also

Also, keep your body healthy, (if you smoke, stop) exercise but do not lift heavy weights or do any exercises that leads you to hold your breath while exerting, your BP rises significantly in those moments. You want your body to be at its best if you ever need surgery.

Mine was repaired at 5.2cm, 2 months after it was found after an MTB accident. I was in good shape and the surgery went as well as it could have, my recovery was fairly quick.

I know it creates anxiety when they first tell you, everyone in this forum has gone or is going through the same. Lots of conversations about how to keep stress down and at the top is to find the right care.

All the best

I am curious as to what you want a second opinion on?
Do you want measurements done more frequently? Do you want surgery earlier than the current guidelines?

So pleased you had such success! May I ask your age and where you had the surgery performed?

Thanks! I’m in Florida.
What size was you aneurysm when first diagnosed and then at surgery?

Hi. I live in The Villages, Florida near Ocala Florida. The size of my ascending aorta aneurysm is 4.2 cm.
Where do you live?
I’ve called Mayo in Rochester and Mayo in Florida and Cleveland clinic and had difficulty seeing a cardiologist or vascular surgeon. I’m ending up with an appointment at Advent health Waterman in Tavares Florida. People tell me this is a small aneurysm and they don’t do anything until it gets to 5 cm but I keep wondering how they test the growth other than having you re-image in six months. Yes this could make us very anxious. I support you in what you find for yourself. Please keep in touch. Nancy

I feel the same as you and checking out a second opinion, but having difficulty getting into major hospital system with a good cardiology department specializing in aortic aneurysms. Are you on a blood pressure medication?

If you are willing to travel further, Mayo Phoenix may be easier to get into. The saw me right away and scheduled surgery within a week. 4.9 root and 4.5 Assending. Though I prior had a cerebral Aneurysm repaired, which sped up my timeline for my chest.

What was recovery like?

Mine is 4.8 and I also have one on my aortic root measuring at 4. And I will be at Rochester. I live in Wisconsin. All of my research has turned up Mayo or Cleveland Clinic with some of the top surgeons for this type of surgery. I completely understand your concerns and fears… It was a complete shock to find out that I have these. I am 69 in very good health, walk 2 miles everyday and eat right. However, my father had a descending aneurysm in his 70s… and heredity can play a factor. I am trusting that God will take care of me and pray He gives me wisdom and peace with what I should do.