I have a 4.8 cm ascending aorta aneurysm

Posted by pconkin1 @pconkin1, Jan 26 11:10am

I just found this forum and I'm glad I can share with people who are experiencing the same thing. Any guidance on how to live a full life while dealing with the watch and wait approach?

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Profile picture for cathy21959 @cathy21959

Has anyone had depression with their descending aorta.
I have had 2 years of depression that comes and goes and I get really anxious at times. It started about the same time as my ascending aorta, but it is not big enough to have surgery on yet.

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@cathy21959 I just found out about mine and I am severely anxious. It is horrible. So scared. I totally know how you feel. I found mine on my calcium score test. My doctor never told me about this. The test said it is a 4.8 and previously a 4.4 which was many years ago. I see him for my BAV. Had no idea about this. Now I am terrified.

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Profile picture for kellmom4 @kellmom4

@cathy21959 I just found out about mine and I am severely anxious. It is horrible. So scared. I totally know how you feel. I found mine on my calcium score test. My doctor never told me about this. The test said it is a 4.8 and previously a 4.4 which was many years ago. I see him for my BAV. Had no idea about this. Now I am terrified.

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@kellmom4......while your concern is natural in this situation, you may benefit from looking at the facts of your circumstance. While you said the increase in size is alarming, you also said..."it is a 4.8 and previously a 4.4 which was many years ago". So how many years has it been since the scan at 4.4? Any other reference scans since then? Growth rates over time of .4cm aren't unusual or alarming. The only situation where it may be concerning is if it's grown .4cm in the last 6 months to a year. While 4.8cm may result in more frequent scans or evaluation, you're still below the threshold for any type of surgery. Naturally, you're concerned, but if you're taking steps to keep your blood pressure under control, and adopting lifestyle changes to help your overall health, then you're managing your situation in the best way. Excessive stressing won't be helpful for you in the long run. Gather facts and knowledge, and try to keep it in perspective. Many people who post here have learned to "manage" their aneurysm circumstance successfully, and you can be one of them!

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