Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

@peterhildt so glad for a healthy ending.

Hello everyone, I have an ascending aorta (5.1 cm), which has been stable for the last year. That's when it was found, but it could have been that size for many years. For several years, I had high blood pressure problems, smoked, and was close to 400 pounds. Now I'm around 200 and don't drink or smoke, 3 years clean Feb 5. I continue with my bike riding for 1 to 2 hours, 3 to 4 times a week. The doctor said as long as it stays stable, I will be on the watch and wait program. Anyway thats what I'm doing. Thanks

Hi everyone. My husband will be having surgery on his aortic root aneurysm and I was wondering what the average hospital stay is…..how many nights in cardiac intensive care unit, and how many nights on step down unit? Am I allowed to stay in his room with him? Thank you in advance.

@mcb62 at 5.1 cm I would have expected closer follow up and more guidelines. Have you consulted with a thoracic surgeon yet? As a reference mine was repaired at 5.2cm as the surgeon considered it large for my body size. The size of the aneurysm is one variable but there are others a surgeon will consider when assessing timing for a repair (body size, family history, other illnesses, general physical health, geometry of the aneurysm, etc)

Exercise is important, you want your body at its best for when you need surgery but there are guidelines, no over exertion, no lifting heavy weights and exercises that lead you to hold your breath and/or grunt. BP spikes during those seconds and can lead to big issues with your aneurysm. Controlling your BP is paramount and kudos for quitting smoking and losing weight, that will go a long way.

Again I would consult with a very experienced thoracic surgeon in a major medical center ASAP to get you evaluated.

Take care

@amysue6rn I think it varies a lot depending on the overall health of the patient, I was 1 1/2 days in ICU and 5 days total in the hospital, but that is on the low side. My wife could not stay with me while there.

I’m sure you will get anywhere between a week and 3 weeks in the hospital, with a couple of days to a week in ICU

@houston13 thank you for responding. He is in pretty good health. We are traveling there and are looking into hotels for me. I just wasn’t sure if I could stay with him. I appreciate your response 😊

@houston13 Thank you and thank you for the advice, the thoracic department denied my request to see them and it took me a while to even see a cardiologist basically they found out I had a enlarged a aorta through a CT scan for checking for lung cancer.

@mcb62 , Why would they deny seeing you? That is just not right, my surgeon saw me the following week after contacting him, don't give up, I have read people in this forum who have been monitored by a surgeon with aneurysms much smaller than yours. This is something you should even consider traveling or driving a longer distance if that is what it takes.

Find someone with a lot of experience, recognized in a major hospital, you don't want to take any chances.

You know you have it and that is already in your favor, a lot people don't get that opportunity, you can plan and find the right care and be properly monitored

All the best

Hi, glad to have found this site. I have a 4.6cm Ascending Aortic Aneurysm discovered by accident 6 years ago. I want to learn about others experiences with AAA and learn.
sunnie2

Hi, Like many others I am glad that I found this site. Last week I was diagnosed with with a 4x4 cm ATAA. Initially I felt like I was standing on a crumbling cliff with a ticking time bomb in my chest.

Reading, research, PCP, and finding this site have allowed me to back up from the edge and achieve some perspective.

My appointment with cardiothoracic is still a month away so I will take any help to maintain my sanity.

Again thanks for the group because knowing that I am not alone is everything.