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I am also 62 and was just diagnosised. I feel the same, no high BP, gentics or smoking. My mind is spinning with all the information. I have my first appointment with cardio in 2 weeks - and naturally have a ton of questions. I'm also trying to stay calm and trying to go about normal day to day functions.
Replies to "I am also 62 and was just diagnosised. I feel the same, no high BP, gentics..."
@maggie31 you’re going to be fine. I dissected in 2015 and had absolutely no warning. Here I am talking to you 11 years later. I am 61 now and I was 50 when I dissected. You’re gonna be OK. The trick is you know that you’ve got a problem and how you can get help before you dissect. I have learned that none of us know how long we’re here but with this condition, you can fix it if you know about it in advance. That’s you! That’s something to celebrate. I know that it feels overwhelming, but I want you to know that I am alive and well after having suffered a massive in Arctic dissection that happened suddenly because I was not monitoring my blood pressure, my eating, my stress, or my exercise. You are going to make best friends with a cardiothoracic aortic specialist in a major metropolitan area near you and they are going to care for you. No heavy lifting. No grunting. No planking. Stop smoking. keep your blood pressure down. All of the things that are good for you anyway are what are going to help you. I’m not sure what the size of your aorta is right now, but if you’re at 5 cm or above you’re probably a candidate for surgery. Depending upon your gender and size that number can float a bit either side of that mark, but 5 cm is generally accepted. So just take a deep breath. You’re gonna be fine. If you need anything or you have any worries or anything to want to talk about with someone who survived a dissection, you email me directly, and I will respond as quick as I can. Peace.
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@maggie31
Hi Maggie, spinning....don't I know what that is like. What is the size? I just had my echo and contrast ct yesterday. When you get that done, you will have more perspective. I would think your cardio will place the order for that after your visit. I have an appointment with a aortic surgeon on the 18th. That will also help to develop a monitoring plan. Hang in there. I will not tell you not to worry as that did not help me, just made me mad.😃
But the stress of the worry made me worry I was gonna make it worse. This group has been so helpful. We are all on this journey together.