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Newly diagnosed at 46 mm ascending aorta dilation (aneurysm)
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Sep 20 5:47pm | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
OK relax. It’s going to be OK. You know you’ve got a problem and now you’ve got tools to deal with it. You’re also in Charlotte, which is a major medical center along the coast. You’ve got lots of options and you’re going to be fine. At 4.6 cm you’re not a candidate for surgery yet. You are the luckiest person in Charlotte because you discovered it early. Trust me, I discovered my aortic aneurysm by having it dissect on a business trip in San Diego in 2015. That is a nightmare and you are not going to suffer it because you know and you’re going to be smart about Your life between now and the time you have to have surgery. Reduce your blood pressure, no smoking, no drinking, and no heavy lifting or extreme exercise. I have been living with an artificial aorta for 10 years just fine. Your doctor is going to tell you what the plan is And you’re going to listen to that thoracic surgeon. I know it seems overwhelming, but once you know, you’ve got a problem you can fix it before you have an emergency that could be much worse. So here’s my advice: take a deep breath. Keep your blood pressure down. Get good rest. Recognize just how lucky you are that you know you’ve got a problem because now you can fix it before it becomes a disaster. Peace and feel free to email me directly Off-line if you want to talk more. I did not have this resource when I was sick in 2015 and made all the difference for me.
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@moonboy - thank you for your post. Very encouraging to know. I also have just discovered 4.3cm dilation on ascending aorta and have been surfing the web looking for answers. Did you smoke or have family history? As I was reading about dissection or rupture outcomes , happy you made it full recovery and continue with life. Did you make any life style changes after being sick? Thank you
@ronludington - this was a great advice and words of wisdom from moonboy. I lost my mom to a stroke close to two years ago, she had high blood pressure and I wish I took her for a scan 😭 but in general she didn’t like any doctors and treated it on her own natural remedies . I was so unaware of how fatal high blood pressure can be and was not educated at all on heart/brain health. I wish I could return the time and force her to go to the doctor. Anyway, after loosing her and time passed by i was very alarmed and signed myself and my husband for lung and heart scan . Husband is solid as a rock and i came out with nodule on upper long and 4.3cm dilated ascending aorta. We are the lucky ones to discover it early and watch it now with proper care. Ugh 😣 im so upset about it and from what im reading it can’t shrink back on its own. Im also in Raleigh and belong to novant, so need to schedule a consultation with cardiologist asap. They do stents , my coworker just had it done (not sure details and if it was the same thing as she is still on FMLA) but they don’t do open chest surgery until you are 5.5 cm