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Newly diagnosed and/or living with ascending aortic aneurysm…anxiety

Posted by ginnycake @ginnycake, Apr 11, 2023

How do you guys cope with the knowledge? My 4.2 CM ascending aortic aneurysm showed up incidentally on a CT scan for a back sprain.
I haven’t had follow up as I write this. It is scheduled for the 11th with my primary care Dr. Will I get another scan of my chest to confirm it???I live in Hawaii… fearful of it not being taken seriously and having spiked high blood pressure from Stress and anxiety cause more damage. I would appreciate your insights… thank you in advance.

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dew88 | @dew88 | Dec 6 12:58pm
In reply to @rogermija "I have read recently that CT scans can expose your internals to excessive x-radiation. You might..." + (show)
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I have read recently that CT scans can expose your internals to excessive x-radiation. You might want to read up on this.

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@rogermija They are x rays but are they not much more accurate than echco tests and if you only have one or two each year, is that not OK? Did the article mention frequency? Good info since most of us probably did not even consider the effects of CT scans. Thanks.

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dew88 | @dew88 | Dec 6 1:18pm

Aloha! Ginnycake; How did that followup test go? I also have an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.2cm. Have not had a followup yet but am hoping for static numbers.

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gladifoundthissite | @gladifoundthissite | Dec 6 3:27pm
In reply to @dew88 "@gladifoundthissite Hi, I am 88 and have had a MVP (mitral valve prolapse) for about ten..." + (show)
Profile picture for dew88 @dew88

@gladifoundthissite Hi, I am 88 and have had a MVP (mitral valve prolapse) for about ten years & no treatment needed since it has not grown. One & a half years ago I was diagnosed with a 4.2 aortic ascending aneurysm and a 4.5 root aneurysm with aortic valve regurgitation. My doctor (an internal medicine) MD has not seen fit to worry or schedule me for a current state of growth on either problem. So, I am now looking for a cardiologist experienced in such things. The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix is so booked up that they will not even schedule me for an exam. So I am now looking in Tucson. Only thing I would mention is that an echo test is not as accurate as a CT Scan with contrast, they say. I too have been active and still go to gym tree times per week but exercise at 50% less weights and double reps. If you can locate "MoonBoy" on this program (his handle), he is the most accurate and knowledgeable patient I have had the good fortune to read all of his advice. His latest offering is just what your looking for on exercise. Good luck on your Echo results. I hope the #'s are small. This is one case where "less is more".

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@dew88 Thankyou for that info I am 62 and been told to keep exercising but not lift more than 15 lbs

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