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What makes ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms increase in size?

Posted by wonderwoman1121 @wonderwoman1121, Jan 19, 2025

I am a 68 year old woman, who considers myself in relatively good shape and health until I was diagnosed with breast cancer 14 months ago. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and now I am on medication which increases cholesterol, causes joint pain, and osteoporosis. In June 2024, I had a CT Scan with contrast due to the cancer and that was fine but I found out I had a 4.1 ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm, which caused me to freak out. My cardiologist had no concern, so I saw a Thoracic Surgeon who said since I’m short, surgery would be needed if it reached 4.5. Typically, they recheck in a year but since I was nervous I just had a CT Scan on 1/17/2025 w/o contrast. I just received the results today, is it really beneficial so see results populating in your portal before you speak to the doctor, not…. anyway… it is now 4.3 so it grew in 7 months. I retired to relieve stress, do Pilates, use my elliptical, increased my BP to 100 mg, I occasionally have a glass of wine or Cosmo at dinner once a week. I don’t have a good feeling about this and I’m trying to be positive but I’m really struggling today.

Are there any statics on how often aneurysms increase in size compared to no change? Are there any statistics on how many people who have surgery survive the surgery but die from complications, or life span after surgery.

I always look for a solution and not one to give up but not being able to fix this is making me crazy.

Also, it seems doctors have a cavalier approach because there really isn’t anything they can do, basically the odds are 50/50…maybe.

Any inspirational hope from anyone?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

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dianelynn | @dianelynn | Jul 16, 2025
In reply to @scotty45 "That is how i've heard it. If someone had found a way to heal & shrink..." + (show)
Profile picture for scotty45 @scotty45

That is how i've heard it.
If someone had found a way to heal & shrink an aneurysm, i'm sure it would now be common knowledge, & we would all be following the steps to make it happen.

Jump to this post

Healing is not beneficial to the health industry
Surgery and pharmaceuticals are always prescribed in allopathic medicine.

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ewei6911 | @ewei6911 | 5 days ago

My cardiologist said any increase in the size of my aortic aneurysm of at least .03 cm would be a concern. (My memory should be confirmed by checking with the American Heart Association). A CT scan should be done every 6 months to check for any growth. However, I had a CT scan in March 2026 where the size of aneurysm was 4.1 cm. A CT scan done the previous month in February 2026, the size was 4.8 cm. Additionally, a chest X-ray in November 2024 picked up the aneurysm size as 4.6 cm. How can the last scan in March show a shrinkage? It's not normal, is it? If anyone can explain, please let me know. In the meantime, my cardiologist asked a thoracic surgeon will look at the films of the March and February scans for an opinion.

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ctflyr | @ctflyr | 4 days ago
In reply to @ewei6911 "My cardiologist said any increase in the size of my aortic aneurysm of at least .03..." + (show)
Profile picture for ewei6911 @ewei6911

My cardiologist said any increase in the size of my aortic aneurysm of at least .03 cm would be a concern. (My memory should be confirmed by checking with the American Heart Association). A CT scan should be done every 6 months to check for any growth. However, I had a CT scan in March 2026 where the size of aneurysm was 4.1 cm. A CT scan done the previous month in February 2026, the size was 4.8 cm. Additionally, a chest X-ray in November 2024 picked up the aneurysm size as 4.6 cm. How can the last scan in March show a shrinkage? It's not normal, is it? If anyone can explain, please let me know. In the meantime, my cardiologist asked a thoracic surgeon will look at the films of the March and February scans for an opinion.

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@ewei6911...Hello....
From reading here, you'll find out ct scan readings are most accurate, others not as much, BUT, it also depends on who reads it to evaluate size! Some use "inner diameter", others use "outer". Ultrasound/echo are also used, with possibly other resulting measurements. It's important to do the same scan procedure at the same facility for at least a few times to get a consistent and proper baseline. In my own case, I had a recent ct scan that was read by a radiologist at 4.9cm, and my cardiologist remeasured at 4.5cm. I'm having a "gated ct" to get a clearer scan picture next month for comparison, as recommened by Cleveland Clinic. A chest xray that you mentioned probably is the least accurate for measuring.

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ewei6911 | @ewei6911 | 4 days ago
In reply to @ctflyr "@ewei6911...Hello.... From reading here, you'll find out ct scan readings are most accurate, others not as..." + (show)
Profile picture for ctflyr @ctflyr

@ewei6911...Hello....
From reading here, you'll find out ct scan readings are most accurate, others not as much, BUT, it also depends on who reads it to evaluate size! Some use "inner diameter", others use "outer". Ultrasound/echo are also used, with possibly other resulting measurements. It's important to do the same scan procedure at the same facility for at least a few times to get a consistent and proper baseline. In my own case, I had a recent ct scan that was read by a radiologist at 4.9cm, and my cardiologist remeasured at 4.5cm. I'm having a "gated ct" to get a clearer scan picture next month for comparison, as recommened by Cleveland Clinic. A chest xray that you mentioned probably is the least accurate for measuring.

Jump to this post

@ctflyr
Thanks!
How does someone know if "inner" or "outer" is noted in CT scan report?
My February CT scan had 48 x 46 noted .......what does that mean?
The aneurysm size noted on my chest x-ray of 2024 was incidental to the purpose of getting the chest x-ay.

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ctflyr | @ctflyr | 4 days ago
In reply to @ewei6911 "@ctflyr Thanks! How does someone know if "inner" or "outer" is noted in CT scan report?..." + (show)
Profile picture for ewei6911 @ewei6911

@ctflyr
Thanks!
How does someone know if "inner" or "outer" is noted in CT scan report?
My February CT scan had 48 x 46 noted .......what does that mean?
The aneurysm size noted on my chest x-ray of 2024 was incidental to the purpose of getting the chest x-ay.

Jump to this post

@ewei6911 ...The problem with those reports is the info shown is written by a Radiologist, normally an MD. Lots of medical jargon. If you dont understand or know what is written, ask your doctor for clarification in laymans terms! It's very easy to get confused or focus on non-essential information. If your feeling well and your Dr knows your aneurysm status, wait until you have a clear understanding of what your aneurysm is doing and calm your thoughts.

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ctflyr | @ctflyr | 4 days ago
In reply to @ewei6911 "@ctflyr Thanks! How does someone know if "inner" or "outer" is noted in CT scan report?..." + (show)
Profile picture for ewei6911 @ewei6911

@ctflyr
Thanks!
How does someone know if "inner" or "outer" is noted in CT scan report?
My February CT scan had 48 x 46 noted .......what does that mean?
The aneurysm size noted on my chest x-ray of 2024 was incidental to the purpose of getting the chest x-ay.

Jump to this post

@ewei6911 ....PS....not positive as I'm not a doctor, but the 48×46 could be a measurement of a growth seen on the scan and possibly referenced in millimeters. "Inner" or "Outer" might not be referenced on the report, but just a way that it could be measured by the Dr doing the analysis and report.

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