Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Hello all.
I am new here. I am 69 yrs young.
I was diagnosed with AAA in 2016 when the Dr. were trying to find a reason for my arrythmia- afib. couldn't find anything. At that time, it was 4.2cm. Has been growing very slowly. It has been at 4.5 for a couple of years. In Aug of last year, I took a tumble and fell on my chest, hit hard enough to displace my pacemaker slightly. In Oct. I asked my cardiologist about doing an echo to see if the fall had any effect on the aneurysm. I explained to her why I was requesting it. At first, she said I didn't need one until April of this year, but I was persistent. She finally consented to doing a "limited Echo". Result of that showed it had grown to 4.7cm. She then ordered a CTw/contrast to get a better look it. Had the CT scan first part of Dec., and it at 4,8cm.
Dr upped my metoprolol and re-ordered another CT for 3 months. She also told me to avoid strenuous activities. My repeat Ct is on this Wednesday, I'm anxious to find out where it is at now.
I have other health issues as well. Persistent Afib, low heart rate, sleep apnea and am way over wt. I take Flecainide 2xday for irregular hr, Metopolol for my blood pressure control, but it drops my Heart rate into upper 30-40, so the Electrophysiologist decided to finally implant a pacemaker to help control HR and irregular rhythm.
Sorry this got long.
I am trying to get in routine of exercise and eating healthier. I am hoping it was just the fall that caused the increase in size and it hasn't grown any more

@hollikal
Hello....I'm in a similar situation as you, 70 y.o. with afib, BP issues and an enlarged thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm...4.5cm from a recent scan. It's important to be your own best advocate with regard to doctors and medical help. Inform/educate yourself as much as possible about your health challenges, act on the recommended guidance, and insist on regular monitoring! Things may go well, and result in no growth, or at least slow growth. Find an aortic center near you where you can get some expert support. Too often, as evidenced by other stories you read here, cardiologists are uninformed, or under educated about aneurysms, but won't admit it. Find a Dr willing to monitor you regularly that is familiar with your problem. If you have the interest, look to the "Virtual Second Opinion" offered by Cleveland Clinic, which is in the top-tier of aortic centers in this country. Best of luck in your efforts going forward!! Knowledge is power, and may save your life!!

Understood. Mine was ascending aortic as well. As for flying, here's what I can say: If it's domestic it's probably fine. Wear compression socks, keep your blood pressure (BP) down. Check your bags and travel with a friend who's aware of your problem and can help if necessary. Wear a medical ID on your wrist. I dissected 24 hours after a flight from MSP to SAN (1,600 miles). Travel is stressful. We were also out tromping around sightseeing in the 113F Anza Borrego desert the day before the dissection. I genuinely did not know that HEAT spikes your BP. The day I dissected, I had been on my feet lecturing to a group of 55 lawyers for 13 straight hours. That was stupid. None of these things helped. Collectively they all added up to what was ultimately a a savage and life threatening complete dissection. So, do you fly? Sure, as long as you're cleared by your doctor, have a medical ID bracelet on describing your condition, and you TAKE IT EASY at all levels. Here's a picture of me the day before I dissected in 2015, then the following day after 13 hours of emergency open heart surgery. I'm on the left and I look really hot (and not the good hot). 113F in the California desert seemed like a lot of fun until it wasn't. All that said, I am here. I am alive. I have tears in my ears as I write to you. I am thankfully every single day for the life I got back from UCSD La Jolla. Thank you! You're going to be fine, but be smart and not dumb like me. Peace.

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!

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!

@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!!

@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