@patti14 What you’re feeling right now is completely understandable. You got hit with a lot of information all at once, and it doesn’t sound like anyone gave you a clear plan. That alone can make everything feel worse, including the shortness of breath and anxiety. A 4.1 cm aorta with a bicuspid valve is not an emergency, but it is not something most people just “check in 3 years.” Your instinct there is right. Most people with bicuspid valves get followed much more closely—often yearly. You deserve tighter follow-up than that.

The BP piece matters a lot. Elevated BP puts extra stress on the aorta, and getting that under control is one of the most important things you can do. You’re doing exactly the right thing by tracking it. Many people in this situation end up on meds not just for BP, but to protect the aorta. The ventricular tachycardia finding shouldn’t be brushed off either. Even short runs can make you feel off or breathless. That’s something a cardiologist should look at more closely, even if it ends up being benign. And the shortness of breath—don’t let anyone just label that as anxiety without checking it out. It can be anxiety, but with everything else going on, it deserves a real look. If it were me, I’d push for:
– a cardiologist (not just internist)
– clearer imaging follow-up for the aorta
– a plan for BP control
– a closer look at the arrhythmia (monitor, etc.)
and a consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon AFTER recent CT imaging

For activity, keep moving but stay smart—no heavy straining, no breath-holding, no pushing through symptoms. Think steady, controlled, breathable effort. No planking or deadlifting. That “no one has my back” feeling is real—and it usually means you need a better medical team, not that something is being missed. Once you have a plan, things feel a lot more manageable. Follow your instincts. Honestly, most general practitioners and cardiologists don't understand what's necessary for an aortic aneurysm because it's just not something they deal with day to day. You cannot ask your plumber to rewire your house. Doctors are experts in their own subject matter areas, but they have an obligation to make sure that you get in front of the right Expert. I went through an emergency sudden Type A dissection in 2015, and the biggest shift was realizing this is something you manage, not something that just happens to you. You’re catching this early, and that puts you in a strong position. You’re not alone in this, even if it feels that way right now. Peace.