New diagnosis of ascending aortic aneurysm and I’m terrified

Thank you and Good idea
I will ask

My 4cm was found during a CT scan for bronchitis, and I have reason to believe it is congenital as other incidental findings have been made through my lifetime regarding anatomically ”extra parts”. Frankly I took this new info and looked at it as a time to reevaluate my life, my health, which has always been good, to see how I can better serve my fellow man with this new information. I have become anxious in the past with new information but always just went on to be my happy self that I was born to be. I am truly thankful for the body I was given despite all the anomalies discovered along the way. This feeling of gratitude has helped and strengthened me immeasurably.

@mikeneverwired hello, may I ask how you are doing now? And also how old you are? I am 53 F and was told my Ascending Aorta was dialated at 3.9 cm one year ago. Now one year later new scan says 4.2 cm. The latest scan also said that my previous measure was 4.0cm. I question where that number came from. I had a scan this January that said “no aneurysm” but did not provide a measurement. I noted that the scan I had last year and just this month were both low dose lung ct scans that are non gated. The scan I had in January was a gated ct scan without contrast. I’ve read that the gated scans vs non gated can show significant differences in measurements due to one being timed with ekg at same point in cardiac cycle and the non gated is not timed and is measured at any random point in the cycle between systole and diastole. This makes it frustrating when trying to determine if I’ve had true growth over this year or is this just considered image modality differences, artifact differences, or radiologist measurements differences. Glad to hear from others who have had the surgery and are doing well on the other side. Gives me hope. Wishing you good health!

Things get much better after you become used to having an aneurysm and realize, it really not as bad as you think. An aneurysm grows maybe 1 mm a year. If yours grows at that rate, you’ll have 10 years before you even need to consider surgery. It is NOT a death sentence!!!! The most important thing is to keep your bp low!
You will survive!! Relax and enjoy life!!

I know the feeling. Ten years ago when my aortic aneurysm was discovered, I was just about to go on a vacation in Mexico.

My doctor suggested I “wait and watch,” the problem, but I didn’t want to live my life tiptoeing on eggshells as they say. I was only 67 and very active. I also knew that if my aorta ruptured, I’d almost certainly die before I could get to a hospital from “bleeding in.”

I decided on getting the repair and had open-heart surgery soon after. I spent three days in the ICU recovering. A day later I developed a-fib and was implanted with a pacemaker.

In hindsight, it was all worth it.

I knew I couldn’t live with the constant fear that I might suddenly die at anytime from a ruptured aorta.

The repair is a reliable procedure. Choose a surgeon who has performed many.

My surgeon was Dr. Lawrie of Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was the protege of the surgeon who invented the technique. But many other surgeons perform the procedure these days.

Thank goodness you have the option. Good luck!

I sure have gone through the emotional mill also. I have all my paperwork in order. I am going to write my obituary and have planned my funeral. In the meantime I feel good and am living my life carefully but the way I want to. I have a loving family and friends, and am connected to a wonderful Episcopal church. It’s taken me about 4 months to get past obsessing about it and live my life in this way. Accept the fact and then move on. Surgery is not an option. I am 85.

@killybegs22

@killybegs22
Hello, I just read your post and I see it’s been a year later…how are you? I’m 60 and was just diagnosed with a 4.1 TAA. Like you, my anxiety is way too much for me to handle, just wondering how you’re coping now. Hugs

@graceliz It has been a couple of years now and no change in growth from 4.3 since 2022. My last MRI showed no growth and my heart surveillance team gave me the great news of not needing a contrast MRI for another two more years. I feel great and continue to travel and enjoy excursions while on cruises. After the first blush of worrying like all get out I slowly begin to relax. I wear a health bracelet on my arm to alert others and first responders should an issue occur. I am in my mid 70's and I did enjoy 20 minutes on the treadmill every day until I had a knee issue but I will be returning soon. Occasionally a mind over matter push is needed to remind myself I have to get back on the treadmill and I have lots to look forward to. My cardio team has been fantastic. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious make an appointment to see a professional to discuss how you are feeling and assist you in ways to address your anxious feelings. I wish you well!

@aSurgery is an option. I am 92 and although Northwestern Memorial in Chicago has turned me down without an option, I contacted Cleveland Clinic and another cardiac surgeon here and both will operate when the time comes. C.C. has even told me the type of surgery - "partial open!" I am in good health although about 20# overweight, walk a mile in the pool 3 days a week and maintain low b/p. Keep the faith!