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Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (762)Comment receiving replies
Hello everyone. I’m new today to the group. I am 73 and live in LA. I was diagnosed yesterday with AA (4cm) and stenosis and high cholesterol. I am waiting for my cardiologist appointment this coming Monday in LA, but wanted to learn more about my condition from other patients. And if surgery is necessary in the future, I would have it at Mayo. I made an appointment with the Intake Coordinator for tomorrow afternoon to discuss a possible appointment with a Mayo doctor. ( Note: don’t fully trust my LA cardiologist.) My first question is whether an aneurysm is reversible? And if not, is there such a thing as rate of growth? Do beta blockers or calcium channel blockers work for this condition? Thanks in advance for any information you may share!
Replies to "Hello everyone. I’m new today to the group. I am 73 and live in LA. I..."
@jimboesq I’m assuming when you say stenosis, your AA is ascending and not descending/abdominal. It makes a big difference where the aneurysm is located. For ascending you would need a cardiothoracic surgeon as the only solution (for now) is OH, for descending thoracic or abdominal there are other options. In any case at 4.0 cm you are far from the critical zone, closer to 5.0, there is a rate of growth and that would be one of the things a specialized cardiologist (aortic disease specialist) would follow. Periodically CT scans would help determine the rate of growth. There are no medications that would reverse the dilation but some people have very stable dilation size for many years never reaching repair zone.
The main variable to control is your BP, high BP is the main enemy of an aneurysm. Your cardiologist will work with you to keep it under control.
Again you are far from needing surgery but maintaining a healthy body is the best you can do in case you ever do. The healthier you are the easier the surgery and recovery will go.
As a reference, mine was 5.2cm when found (ascending) I was in very good shape, I had surgery 2 months later, surgery is tough but went as smooth as it could have gone.
You know you have it and that’s already on your side, you can find the right care and plan
All the best
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@jimboesq
Hello....yes, there is a "normal" rate of growth of 1mm per year to a "concerning " size of 5.0-5.5cm, at which time surgery may be considered. The rate of growth should be monitored by CT scan or ultrasound(echocardiogram). If growth is rapid over a short period, early intervention may be needed. While there are standard approaches taken, each person and case is unique, and shouldn't be pigeonholed. You need to be an informed patient not hesitant to ask questions. Get as much information as you can to be an "educated consumer". "Vague" doctors are abundant, so don't settle for blase answers or indifference. You're in charge of your own health....knowledge is power!! Best wishes for staying healthy!!