New diagnosis today. Trying to figure what to do..

Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate it! Does it make things any different if I am also having episodes of Afib and Tachycardia occasionally? Can that be related?

Thanks,
Matthew

Hey there. So take a deep breath—you’re doing the right thing by asking questions and seeking support.

A 4.0 cm aneurysm of the aortic root is not considered large enough for surgery yet in most cases. You’re right—5.0 to 5.5 cm is the typical surgical threshold for the aortic root or ascending aorta. But the real story is more nuanced.

What happens next depends on a few key things:
• How fast is it growing? If it’s growing more than 0.5 cm per year, that’s a red flag.
• Do you have a connective tissue disorder like Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, or a bicuspid aortic valve? If so, surgeons often act earlier—sometimes at 4.5 cm or even lower.
• What’s your body size? For smaller people, 4.0 cm can already be relatively large when indexed to body surface area.
• Any family history of dissection or sudden death? That can shift the threshold lower.
• Any symptoms? Pain, pressure, or any odd feelings in the chest or back—those matter.

Next steps:
1. Find a cardiologist who understands aortic disease—preferably someone who works closely with a thoracic surgeon.
2. Get a high-resolution CT or MRI scan with contrast, and repeat it every 6–12 months to track changes.
3. Watch your blood pressure like a hawk. Keep it low and steady. Ask your doctor about beta blockers or ARBs—many people with aortic root aneurysms benefit from them.
4. Avoid heavy lifting, straining, and Valsalva maneuvers. Don’t hold your breath during exertion.
5. Stay informed—but not overwhelmed. One step at a time.

You didn’t cause this. But now that you know about it, you have power. Knowledge and surveillance are what keep people safe. Peace.

Hello, especially to Moonboy who I’ve seen as been very helpful to othered on this site.
I’m going to be 60 this week and through a routine cardio work up it was discovered I have a 4.1 ascending aortic aneurysm…this was through the Echo as my CT scan is not for 2 more weeks. Needless to say, I’m devastated and I haven’t been able to eat, sleep or interact…I’m somewhat disconnected from everything at this point worried about this time bomb in my body. I hear so much horror about it and I just don’t know how people can live waiting for it to rupture without worry! Also, I want to know about the open surgery if anyone has had it…do they crack your chest? Is it survivable?

Second everything Moonboy said, I had my surgery at 54, mine was planned 3 months after they found my 5.2 aneurysm, as he says you know you have it and can follow up and plan, not everyone gets that opportunity. Yours being small you’re far from the risk zone and I hope that will help you relax. Drs will determine the growth rate after several measurements and will determine the right follow up protocol, I recommend you find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and makes a difference. He/she will determine the frequency of follow ups, help you control BP which is the main factor to maintain under control.

Otherwise stay healthy and active, exercise but stay away from heavy weights or exertion that leads you to hold your breath, treat your body well, if you smoke stop, and watch your BP. Exercise also helps control stress, yoga, meditation are all things you could explore and a good therapist if it gets hard to manage.

If you ever need surgery a healthy body will minimize the possible risks of the surgery. I was out of hospital in 5 days back to work in 3 weeks. Like Moonboy I just turned 60 and live a completely normal life, exercise frequently. I see my cardiologist every year and he orders full aortic MRIs every 4-5 years to ensure no new aneurysms are forming, all good.

You will be fine, you came to the right place every one here has gone through something similar!!

Second everything Moonboy said, I had my surgery at 54, mine was planned 3 months after they found my 5.2 aneurysm, as he says you know you have it and can follow up and plan, not everyone gets that opportunity. Yours being small you’re far from the risk zone and I hope that will help you relax. Drs will determine the growth rate after several measurements and will determine the right follow up protocol, I recommend you find a cardiologist who specializes in aortic diseases, not all of them do and makes a difference. He/she will determine the frequency of follow ups, help you control BP which is the main factor to maintain under control.

Otherwise stay healthy and active, exercise but stay away from heavy weights or exertion that leads you to hold your breath, treat your body well, if you smoke stop, and watch your BP. Exercise also helps control stress, yoga, meditation are all things you could explore and a good therapist if it gets hard to manage.

If you ever need surgery a healthy body will minimize the possible risks of the surgery. I was out of hospital in 5 days back to work in 3 weeks. Like Moonboy I just turned 60 and live a completely normal life, exercise frequently. I see my cardiologist every year and he orders full aortic MRIs every 4-5 years to ensure no new aneurysms are forming, all good.

You will be fine, you came to the right place every one here has gone through something similar!!

Thank you. My CT is 10-6 so I’ll know more. As dangerous as open heart repair is, I wish I could just do it so I’m not living with a bomb in my chest. It’s torture.

BTW I turned 60 last week, so we are almost exactly the same age. Open Heart is still risky of course but much more routine and less risky than it used to be especially if it is performed by a very experienced cardiothoracic surgeon and you are in good health. And they now close your skin with glue so you can barely see the scar 😉.

Again we all understand the stress and anxiety, it is one of the most common posts in this forum, keep in mind at the size yours is the probability of dissection or rupture is extremely low, close to 0. Fill your life and time with things that bring you joy, keep your mind busy, stay active and find activities that relax you. For me exercising intensely, yoga, traveling with my family, hiking, getting together with my close friends, watching movies that absorb my attention, enjoying a glass of an excellent red wine, keep me relaxed. You will find yours!!!

Hey there. So take a deep breath—you’re doing the right thing by asking questions and seeking support.

A 4.0 cm aneurysm of the aortic root is not considered large enough for surgery yet in most cases. You’re right—5.0 to 5.5 cm is the typical surgical threshold for the aortic root or ascending aorta. But the real story is more nuanced.

What happens next depends on a few key things:
• How fast is it growing? If it’s growing more than 0.5 cm per year, that’s a red flag.
• Do you have a connective tissue disorder like Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, or a bicuspid aortic valve? If so, surgeons often act earlier—sometimes at 4.5 cm or even lower.
• What’s your body size? For smaller people, 4.0 cm can already be relatively large when indexed to body surface area.
• Any family history of dissection or sudden death? That can shift the threshold lower.
• Any symptoms? Pain, pressure, or any odd feelings in the chest or back—those matter.

Next steps:
1. Find a cardiologist who understands aortic disease—preferably someone who works closely with a thoracic surgeon.
2. Get a high-resolution CT or MRI scan with contrast, and repeat it every 6–12 months to track changes.
3. Watch your blood pressure like a hawk. Keep it low and steady. Ask your doctor about beta blockers or ARBs—many people with aortic root aneurysms benefit from them.
4. Avoid heavy lifting, straining, and Valsalva maneuvers. Don’t hold your breath during exertion.
5. Stay informed—but not overwhelmed. One step at a time.

You didn’t cause this. But now that you know about it, you have power. Knowledge and surveillance are what keep people safe. Peace.